1025.0      APPEAL PROCEDURE

All
disputes or controversies relating to student eligibility, member schools,
event officials or other matters arising under the Constitution, By-Laws, Rules
or Regulations of the Missouri State High School Activities Association shall
on request be reviewed by the Executive Director, provided, however, the
initial rulings on student eligibility arising under the Constitution, By-Laws,
Rules or Regulations of the Missouri State High School Activities Association
shall be made by the local school authorities in accord with due process
procedures established by the Board of Education or governing board of the
school.

Each
request for review shall contain full information including charges, all
evidence available, and in the case of student eligibility, the school’s
ruling. The Executive Director shall issue an opinion on the dispute or
controversy within seven (7) days after receiving the request, and shall inform
the school or other interested party thereof.

In
the case of student eligibility, the student shall be notified through his or
her school administrator. The Official Handbook of the Missouri State High
School Activities Association is the instrument for informing schools of the
regulations they have adopted and are committed to uphold. In a case of a
school violation, the opinion of the Executive Director shall be advisory only.

The
Executive Director is authorized to take immediate action on sportsmanship
cases as provided under MSHSAA By-Law 810-a and to rule on disputes involving
the application of game rules or disputes involving the provisions established
by the Board of Directors to administer district and state tournaments or
festivals sponsored by the Association.

a.     If any interested party
is aggrieved by an opinion or decision of the Executive Director, then such
party may appeal through the Executive Director in writing for a review by or a
hearing before the Appeals Committee. The request for such a review or hearing
shall be submitted within ten (10) days following the Executive
Director’s opinion or decision.

1.     The Appeals Committee
will schedule a review or hearing as requested, no later than its first regularly scheduled meeting after receiving the written
appeal.

2.     In the event of a
hearing, any interested party will be given the opportunity to testify and
present evidence, and the school(s) shall be represented by an administrative
officer.

3.     The Appeals Committee
shall render a written decision not later than seven (7) days after the receipt
of all requested information and closure of the hearing or review setting forth
the reasons for the decision.

b.     An appeal may be made
by any interested party to the Board of Directors of any decision rendered by
the Appeals Committee. A written request for an appeal must be filed through
the Executive Director with the Board of Directors within ten (10) days
following the ruling by the Appeals Committee.

1.     The Board of Directors
will schedule a hearing no later than its first regularly scheduled meeting
after receiving the written request.

2.     Any interested party
will be given the opportunity to testify and present evidence, and the school
shall be represented by an administrative officer.

3.     The Board of Directors
shall render a written decision not later than seven (7) days after the receipt
of all requested information and closure of the hearing, setting forth the
reasons for the decision.

c.     In emergency cases
which are appealed to either the Appeals Committee or the Board of Directors
the following definition and procedure shall apply:

1.     Emergency cases shall
be those in which the time and circumstances do not reasonably allow for the
convening of a quorum of the Appeals Committee or the Board of Directors as
determined in the sole discretion of the chairperson of the Appeals Committee
or President of the Board of Directors respectively.

2.     In such cases, the
chairperson or President may appoint a panel of three members of the Committee
or Board, respectively, to hear and rule on appeals that arise between regular
meetings.

3.     A majority vote of the
members participating shall be required for any action of the respective
panels. A decision of such panel shall be considered a decision of the Appeals
Committee or of the Board of Directors, respectively.