OSSAA legal costs spark criticism
By Nolan Clay, The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
"It's no surprise to me ... how much money this organization pays in attorney fees," said one critic, state Rep.
"They waste more money than most small corporations have," he said. "It's shocking that they are even considering raising playoff ticket prices. While the schools are hurting financially, they continue wasting money."
Attorney
The OSSAA said in the last fiscal year it paid
Executive Director
The most significant cost-saving change is that a student can choose a high school in the ninth grade -- and be eligible for varsity athletics immediately -- regardless of where the student's family lives or where the student went before.
The choice is allowed as long as the student wasn't recruited for athletic reasons or unduly influenced.
"Previously if a student was transferring schools in the ninth grade, or choosing to attend a high school outside of the family's school district or area of residence, then the student had to demonstrate that the change of schools was due to an unavoidable hardship in order to gain immediate varsity eligibility," Sheakley told The Oklahoman.
"We hope that this rule change will reduce the number of disputes," he said.
Legal problems
The association oversees extracurricular activities for nearly every public school in
It makes decisions on the makeup of athletic districts, playoffs and student transfers and eligibility.
The association legal costs go way up when parents or student athletes file lawsuits to challenge its decisions.
Its critics say it has acted arrogantly in enforcing its rules on student athletes. Last October, in a sharply worded opinion, the
"This Court has permitted the OSSAA, in the guise of a voluntary association, to govern the affairs of secondary school athletics in
The association does have insurance coverage that helps with legal costs.
"Insurance coverage generally begins when legal fees on a particular lawsuit exceeds
The insurer reimbursed the OSSAA
At a June meeting of the OSSAA board, attorneys Grossman and
Grossman told the association one way it could save money is to pay a law firm only a retainer -- an agreed amount each year.
"Any services exceed that amount, well, that's just a risk that the law firm takes," he said.
"Now it's potentially a risk that the organization takes because if your actual legal fees are below that amount, then you could take a loss on it."
He also said the association could employ an in-house attorney for day-to-day matters. He did note, though, some problems with such an arrangement.
"Basically ... you're talking about a lawyer who would be working for less than
Sheakley told The Oklahoman, "It's not clear whether employing an in-house attorney would reduce costs overall."
One recent controversy shows how even little issues can become costly.
Once the OSSAA began using lobbyists, it was required to report those gifts to the
The OSSAA paid much more than that in legal fees to its attorneys who negotiated the settlement.
The total bill for legal work on the controversy in March, April, May and June was
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