COLUMBIA – The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) was not contacted by the Attorney General’s Office prior to yesterday’s public announcement. MSHSAA welcomes the opportunity to provide accurate information and looks forward to cooperating once direct communication begins.
MSHSAA is a voluntary nonprofit association composed of more than 700 member schools that choose each year to affiliate with the organization. These member schools adopt and amend the MSHSAA Constitution through a statewide democratic process. More than two decades ago, member schools voted to create two at-large board positions designed to support strong governance and better reflect the students and school communities MSHSAA serves.
The constitutional provision at issue has been in place for more than 20 years and has always been fully transparent. It appears in the MSHSAA Constitution, which is publicly available to view in the MSHSAA Handbook on the Association’s website. Under Article IV on Page 21, it states:
“Each of two at-large positions shall be filled by a candidate representing the underrepresented gender of the current Board, or an underrepresented ethnicity. At-large members of the Board of Directors shall meet the same qualifications as described in number 1 above.”
This provision adapts to the Board’s changing composition, ensuring that perspectives which may be missing at a given time can be included. The provision expands access rather than restricts it. All qualified individuals remain fully eligible to serve through the eight geographically elected seats that make up the majority of the Board. The at-large positions simply provide another avenue for service within a longstanding, member-driven governance structure.
MSHSAA does not discriminate in any manner. The Association is fully aware of its obligations under state and federal law and remains confident that the provision is lawful, constitutional and fully consistent with the standards expected of an organization serving students across Missouri.
MSHSAA is committed to transparency, and all correspondence with the State Auditor’s Office is available through this link. We look forward to addressing any questions from the Attorney General once direct communication is initiated.
For reference, here is a complete list of all MSHSAA Board of Directors members, dating back to our founding in 1926.
