1. Allegations & Investigations
Presented by:
Craig Damon, Associate Executive Director for Eligibility and Compliance
Jordanne Stark, Assistant Director for Compliance

2. Bylaw 10.3 – Protest Procedure
Allegations
Bylaw 10.3 – Protest Procedure

3. How Are Allegations Submitted?
Mail
Attention: Craig Damon or Jordanne Stark
Web Form
New for the school year
Available at
How Are Allegations Submitted?

4. What Types of Allegations are Received?
Anonymous
Received without any identifying information
Signed by a non-school representative
Parent
Member of the community
Student
Signed by a school representative
Principal
Athletic Director
FHSAA Representative
What Types of Allegations are Received?

5. What Happens Once the FHSAA Receives an Allegation?
Determine the type of allegation
Anonymous
Non-school representative
School representative
Determine the intent of the author
Timing (FHSAA Policy 10.9)
Does the allegation directly impact the author
Determine whether the allegation includes credible information
Does the allegation include content?
Is there a preponderance of evidence?
Provide the accused school(s) with a copy
What Happens Once the FHSAA Receives an Allegation?

6. What is the Accused School’s Responsibility?
Implausible allegations
Forward allegation to the school with no action taken by the FHSAA
Allegation placed in school file
The FHSAA may revisit the allegation, should credible information become available
Credible allegations
Forward allegation to the school with inquiries
Accused school is given 10 business days to respond
Prompt the accused school to initiate an internal investigation
If necessary, the accused school may provide a self-report
If necessary, the FHSAA may conduct a formal investigation
What is the Accused School’s Responsibility?

7. Policy 39 – Investigative Procedures
Investigations
Policy 39 – Investigative Procedures

8. Types of Investigations
Internal investigation
Initiated by the school, school district or governing board
Results may warrant a self-report
FHSAA investigation
Initiated by the FHSAA as a result of the accused school’s internal investigation
May be conducted by an FHSAA staff member or an approved investigative consultant
Types of Investigations

9. What is a Self-Report? Results from the school identifying a violation
The report should include the following information:
A list of the bylaws and/or policies that have been violated
A description of the circumstances leading to the violation
The names of any students and/or coaches (if applicable)
A list of contests in which the student(s) participated (if applicable)
Any corrective actions taken by the school to deter this situation from happening in the future
The report is submitted to the FHSAA via
What is a Self-Report?

10. Preliminary Investigation
Determine if the accused school’s internal investigation was thorough and sufficient
Did the school acknowledge a violation?
Does the school have a working knowledge of the bylaws and/or policies involved?
Did the school provide any corrective actions?
Do any penalties need to be assessed?
Did the school provide a detailed report?
Does the FHSAA need more information to determine whether or not a violation occurred?
Preliminary Investigation

11. Investigative Procedures
The FHSAA assigns a staff member or an investigative consultant
The school is notified of the investigation in writing
The school shall notify the student(s) and/or parent(s) and any other individuals identified by the FHSAA
Investigations are conducted on school campus
School records, documents and any other pertinent information may be reviewed
Interviews may be conducted with students, parents, coaches and school staff members
Searches of residences may be conducted with written consent from the parent/legal guardian
Investigative Procedures

12. Results of an Investigation
No verifiable evidence of a violation
Case is closed
No further action is taken
Evidence of a violation
The FHSAA will provide the school with a notice of preliminary findings
The FHSAA may take action against the school, which may include:
Probation
Fees and/or fines
Forfeiture of contests
Required attendance at FHSAA seminars/events
Results of an Investigation

13. Evidence of a Violation
Notice of Preliminary Findings
Allows school to respond
School may present additional information
School may formulate corrective actions
Notice of FHSAA Final Investigative Findings
The final report includes:
Background Summary
Pertinent Bylaws and Policies
Corrective Actions (if applicable)
Summary of Violations
FHSAA Actions
Evidence of a Violation

14. Craig Damon Associate Executive Director for Eligibility and Compliance cdamon@fhsaa.org
Jordanne Stark Assistant Director for Complinace
Contact Information