Vice-Chair Dr. Steve Gallon III Calls For Review Of FHSAA Revenue Sharing

Vice-Chair Dr. Steve Gallon III Calls For Review Of FHSAA Revenue Sharing Structure With Athletic Programs In Miami-Dade County Schools

CONTACT: Pavi’Elle Phillips
305-995-1334
district1@dadeschools.net

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OFFICE OF DR. STEVE GALLON III

February 4, 2020
At the School Board meeting of February 12, 2020, School Board Vice-Chair Dr. Steve Gallon III will ask the School Board to approve Board Agenda Item H-8, FHSAA Revenue Sharing. This item is a request from Gallon for a review of the financial relationship between district schools and the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA). Specifically, he wants to examine instances in which the costs and subsequent payment from the FHSAA for a school’s participation in postseason competition and/or state championship series events result in a deficit to the school. It has been suggested that although there may be a financial benefit to the FHSAA, schools that often participate realize a financial loss—often very significant ones for schools with limited resources to support and invest in their athletic programs.

The Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) is committed to students’ participation in interscholastic sports. In doing so, it recognizes athletics as a mainstay of school districts, schools, and more importantly, the learning and life experiences of students. In doing so, M-DCPS has worked very closely with the FHSAA in the development, implementation, and enforcement of policies governing high school athletics.

In December 2019, a record seven high school football teams went to the Florida High School Athletic Association state football championships and all seven returned home winners, including Booker T. Washington, Miami Northwestern and Miami Central High Schools. The costs of reaching and winning a state championship in football, or in any other high school sport for that matter, involves dedication, hard work, and sacrifice on the part of school staff, coaches, and student-athletes. However, there are significant financial costs and investment of resources that are required for school teams to compete in both postseason competition and state championship series events. It has been noted that the cost to a school for travel, food, and lodging for their football team to compete can exceed $15,000.00. Yet, when applying the current FHSAA criteria for revenue sharing the payment received by the school from FHSAA is less than $7,000.00—resulting in a net deficit of nearly $10,000.00 which would have to be absorbed by the individual school.

“This was a concern during my tenure for seven years as a high school principal at Miami Northwestern—nearly two decades ago,” Dr. Gallon stated. “For me and many, it is an issue of economic fairness and equity. Many schools in our district and throughout the state financially struggle to support their student-athletes who have earned the right to compete and win at the highest level. I am vexed with any financial relationship that may unfairly profit on the backs, sweat, and sacrifices of our students, and to financial loss to our schools.”

To read full item go to: http://www.dadeschools.net/schoolboard/agenda/h8.pdf