The TSSAA Legislative Council met at the TSSAA office building in Hermitage on Tuesday, April 8 and voted on six proposed changes to the TSSAA Bylaws.
The Council voted to remove the Residence Rule from the bylaws. Students with athletic records would still have to have a bonafide change of residence to be eligible at the varsity level. International students who have not completed their terminal grade would continue to be eligible if they stay with a host family and meet all other eligibility requirements.
A proposed change to Article I (Membership) of the TSSAA Bylaws submitted by Christ Presbyterian Academy was approved. The change is that the the method of determining classification shall be the same for all schools within a Division.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SUMMARY
April 8, 2025
Hermitage, Tennessee
1. Roll Call
2. Approved Minutes of Last Meeting
3. Heard update regarding BOEconnect Update and Training. This is software that will be used in Board and Council meetings in the future.
4. Old Business
a. Approved proposed change to Article I, Section 2 (Membership Dues) of the TSSAA Bylaws.
- This proposal consolidates membership dues, catastrophic insurance assessments, and team participation fees into a single fee based on school enrollment.
- Fee will be $1.50 per student (based on ADM for the 2025-2027 classification period).
- Minimum fee: $300, $150 for middle schools that are included in a member high school’s grade configuration (K-12, 6-12, etc. . .)
- Maximum fee: $2500 (high school), $1500 (middle school)
- The high school wrestling weight management assessment fee will be reduced from $12 per wrestler to $5 per wrestler.
b. Approved proposed change to Article I (Membership) of the TSSAA Bylaws The proposal, submitted by Christ Presbyterian Academy, requires the rules for determining classification to be set and applied in the same manner to all classifications/divisions and sports.
Article I
- Section 3: For tournament competition there shall be two categories. Division I shall consist of all member public schools. Division II shall consist of all member independent schools.
- Section 4. For each sport, the method of determining classification shall be the same for all schools within a Division.
c. Definition of “Beginning Sport” in TSSAA Sports Calendar
Beginning Sport – Any school that is starting a sport for the first time may have five days of off-season practice in addition to that which is already allocated in the TSSAA Sports Calendar prior to the first season the sport begins.
d. Voted to remove the Residence Rule from the bylaws (the Residence Rule is currently found in Article II, Section 11 of the TSSAA Bylaws). A transfer student with an athletic record would still need to meet the provisions of
Article II, Sections 12 and 13.
5. New Business
a. Had a discussion regarding when Girls Flag Football will be played if the Board of Control approves a state championship for next season.
b. Transfer Timing
Discussed what rules other states have in regards to a waiting period for students who have met all eligibility requirements but transfer after the date of first contest.
6. Executive Session/Litigation Report
