Money issues

[Camron Rust]

Basically, it comes down to the fact that Assignors are not doing it for free. Either the schools pay them, the officials pay them, or a split from both.

I'd bet that those areas that don't take a percentage out of the official's checks have assignors getting a larger average payment from the schools and the schools paying a slightly smaller game fee for the officials.

In the end they all probably come out the same.

[refhoops]

Our association dues are $ 105 which includes all education material and NASO memberships, which assures out Board that all members have the minimum liability insurance. We are paid monthly by our assignor, with no mileage, but farthest distance for any game is less than 60 miles, most are with 20 miles.

[Zack]

So is WA the odd one out? We pay about $30 a year to the associ. and $30-40 to the state.

We have an assignor that assigns us through a web based system for all games. We don't deal at all with the school or anything like that. We get paid a month or two after the season ends. I don't know how much I would like having to work for a school it almost sounds like?

[BayStateRef]

Massachusetts:

For high school, we get paid by check from the school, after filling out a voucher at the game site. Checks arrive one to five weeks after the game. I got one fee last year in cash ("Is that OK, ref?") and one school paid by check at the gym. For youth travel or AAU, it is cash at the gym.

There are no assignor fees. Varsity pays $70/game this year; JV and freshmen are $48/game. Youth travel is $40/game (two whistle) for 16-minute halves, stopped time, and AAU is usually $35.

My annual dues are $75. That's it. Covers state & national (IAABO) dues, medical/liability insurance, books and one meal at the annual banquet. My board is also very generous with camp scholarships (usually fully paid) and this year ran a free mini-camp (one day) focusing on 3-person mechanics (which are now being used only for state tournament games.) Our treasurer says we have the lowest dues in Massachusetts.

[Ignats75]

State OHSAA Fee is $55.00
Local Assoc Fee is anywhere from $30 - $60
No Assignor Fees

Each Conference has its own assignor. (Most use The Arbiter)
Independent Schools sometimes have an assignor, and sometimes the AD does it.

About half the schools have the checks waiting for you at the site.

Fees are set by the conferences
Varsity (all 3 person mech Boys and Girls) are between $50-$70
JV (2 person mech) $35-$45
Frosh $25 - $30

[ChuckElias]

My comments aren't critical, but I thought I would comment on a couple minor things in your post, just in case you were interested. If you're not interested, I won't be offended.

Originally Posted by BayStateRef

Massachusetts:

My annual dues are $75. That's it. Covers state & national (IAABO) dues, medical/liability insurance, books and one meal at the annual banquet.

My board's dues are $100. That covers roughly the same as what you've listed. We also pay for the board interpreter and secretary to travel to the Fall IAABO meeting; and for the secretary and president to travel to the Spring IAABO meeting. So that adds a bit of expense.

3-person mechanics (which are now being used only for state tournament games.)

If you'd said "primarily", I wouldn't have a problem with it. But the fact is, 3-whistle is in use during the regular season in varying degrees all across the state. I've been told that there is a conference in Boston that is primarily 3-whistle all season. The Berkshire board has been working 3-whistle for a couple seasons now, at a reduced rate that they negotiated with their schools. The Hampden board has been using 3-whistle for 2 years on a limited basis in their Division 1 games.

Additionally, the MIAA has approved a 3-whistle fee for the upcoming regular season. I can't remember at the moment if it is 80% or 85% of the 2-whistle fee. But it will be either $58 (80%) or $62 (85%). That doesn't mean that schools have to use 3-whistle; but if they do use it, they don't have to haggle with the local board over the fee. The state board of officials voted to oppose a reduced fee for 3-whistle, but personally, I think it's a good idea if we ever actually want it to become accepted.

[LongIslandZebra]

Here in NY, we pay $90 a year for dues. Game fees for public schools are paid in one lump sum at the end of the season. Fees range for $ 82- 106 from JH through Varsity. If you work for private schools they each pay by check shortly after the contest. Rec leagues are mostly cash, some bi-weekly check and range from $ 40-60 for leagues through HS age level.

[BayStateRef]

Originally Posted by ChuckElias

Varsity is actually going to be $73 this year. Last year was $72 and we were supposed to get a $2 boost, but the MIAA decided to change their recommendation and only bump it a buck.

I think you are mistaken, Chuck.

From the MIAA handbook (Page 93): http://miaa.net/bluebook.htm

91. Recommended Game Officials’ Fee Schedule
                  2006-07    2007-08
Varsity              $70       $71
JV/Freshman       $49       $50

Last year was $68/game for varsity.

You are correct about three-whistle. The MIAA voted to pay 85 percent of the fee if a school elects to use three officials. (None of the schools that I work want to pay the extra money.)

The fees I mentioned for youth travel and AAU are typical in the Boston suburbs. I should have been more clear.

[ChuckElias]

Originally Posted by BayStateRef

I think you are mistaken, Chuck.

From the MIAA handbook (Page 93): http://miaa.net/bluebook.htm

91. Recommended Game Officials’ Fee Schedule
__________2006-07 ____2007-08
Varsity______$70________$71
JV/Fr_______$49________$50

Last year was $68/game for varsity.

Sorry! I guess I got a year ahead of myself. I thought last year was the $70 fee. Shows how much I pay attention to my game checks!

I went back and removed the incorrect fee information I posted. Thanks for the correction.