Louisiana Officials

[crosscountry55]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Connecticut game fees for 2015-2016: Varsity Fee: $94.63; Sub Varsity Fee: $61.39

2014 Per Capita Personal Income: State Rank #1 Connecticut ($60,658)

Touché! There are exceptions to every rule. Yes, the urban Northeast isn't too bad when it comes to rates. I remember when I was in Rhode Island the killing those officials made, especially considering the less-then-motivated job they did. I hear officials in the NYC metro make heaps of cash, too. But then again it must be all that much harder to advance in an area with lots of registered officials.

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

I think a gap is a good idea too, but the size of that gap above is more than I think is reasonable.

Maybe not for you, but perhaps it works in other areas. The gap is really determined by local factors.

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

There are a lot of people that will never be Varsity capable officials.

And I'm never going to be an Admiral, but that doesn't mean I have the right to be paid like one.

[Bad Zebra]

Originally Posted by crosscountry55

Touché! There are exceptions to every rule. Yes, the urban Northeast isn't too bad when it comes to rates. I remember when I was in Rhode Island the killing those officials made...

Ask Billy where Connecticut ranks in terms of cost of living...for that matter all of the Northeast including NYC. I've lived in the Hartford, Boston and Orlando metros. I contend that my $55 varsity fee in Florida is a better rate than $94 in CT & Mass. or $100+ in NYC

[Nevadaref]

To bring this discussion back to Louisiana officials, I would like some additional information on the tiered pay structure. The new schedule has three categories, each with its own game fee.
Please post the rationale for this system as opposed to one rate for all officials working any particular level.
Please post the particulars for qualifying/advancing through the different levels.
Are there other states using this tiered pay system? What are your thoughts on it?

[LouisianaDave]

Nevada, there used to be 3 tiers, now its down to 2. Certified and approved.

The major difference is based on a test that is made up from the LHSAA office.

The 3 tiers were 70-79 Registered, 80-89 approved and 90-100 certifed.

Now its two being 70-84 registered and 85-90 certified.

I think the rationale is basically get in the rule book, learn the rules and you will be compensated. A few years ago, they implemented a meeting percentage requirement along with a mandatory camp that must be attended once every 2 years.

This was in response to making the officials better trained and more accountable in order to justify the raise that was given in 2010. But it was also in response to punish officials bc we didnt work one night during the season in response to them voting down the raise to begin with.

[Nevadaref]

Thanks for the quick response.
1. Do you mean 85-100 is Certified now?
2. I'm surprised that the classification is determined solely by a written test score and that there are other factors such as years of experience, a fitness test, or an evaluation of a game.
3. Under what conditions is your exam given?: online, open-book, etc.?

I'm asking for details because I wish to push for such a system here.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Bad Zebra

Ask Billy where Connecticut ranks in terms of cost of living...for that matter all of the Northeast including NYC. I've lived in the Hartford, Boston and Orlando metros. I contend that my $55 varsity fee in Florida is a better rate than $94 in CT.

And your contention would be wrong. Close, but almost only counts in horseshoes, and hand grenades.

From an online cost of living calculator (below):

You are currently earning $94 in Hartford, Connecticut as a Umpire, Referee, or other Sports Official. You need to earn $76 to maintain the same standard of living in Orlando, Florida.

Bad Zebra does have a valid point. You should see my monthly electric bill. Of course, I just turned my air conditioner on for the first time this season this past Sunday.

Connecticut has the fifth highest cost of living, only New York, Alaska, California, and Hawaii are higher. Florida has the 22nd highest cost of living.