Section III, officials at impasse

Will Section III officials be on the sidelines when schools open their fall sports seasons?

Not if they have to accept a temporary memorandum of agreement, according to New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Section III leaders.

Officials in the section have been without a contract dating back to June 2017 after negotiations between the section and officials broke down in October 2016.

Since that time, both sides have followed the process for resolving disagreements as outline in the New York State High School Off icials Coordinating Federation Handbook, which includes binding arbitration. On April 17, 2018 and June 19, 2018, both parties presented their arguments to a three-person arbitration panel. Section III was represented by its attorney, Daniel Pautz, while officials were represented by Onondaga County Comptroller Robert Antonacci, Jr.

The matter currently rests with the arbitration panel; however, a binding decision is not expected until late fall, leaving the status of Section III officials up in the air.

Section III says it has extended Memorandums of Agreements with each of the fall sports officials’ boards, the same temporary agreements that the sports officials worked under last year, the only exception a fee increase.

Officials rejected the MOA and communicated that they may not make themselves available to work games, according to Section III, unless all their demands are met.

“Students should never be used as poker chips in a conflict between adults,” said Port Byron Superintendent of Schools and chief negotiator for Section III Neil O’Brien. “Binding arbitration is there to make sure the final decision is fair and impartial. Do not harm students and schools by breaking the rules to impose a solution.”

NYSPHSAA Executive Direcotr Robert Zayas also weighed in on the matter.

“The New York State Public High School Athletic Association has had an agreement with the statewide officials organizations ensuring officials will not withhold services or strike,” he said. “This is an important aspect of our agreement because students would be most im-practed by a work stoppage. It is my hope that all parties can come together in the best interests of students preparing to start their fall seasons. Officials play a critical role in the development of students and create valuable learning opportunities for our next generation.”