Nov 14, 2008
DAANJ Workshop Update - Part II

Dear State Athletic Directors,

As some of you know, for the second time the Commissioner of Education denied our request for a waiver for our state conference. The first time the DAANJ submitted a request, the Commissioner indicated that our conference is narrow in scope and contains a paucity of education programming which is preposterous. The second time she stated the DAANJ Conference does not provide the breadth of content and scope that would necessitate an overnight stay by attendees in order to reap the benefits of the event. Having been responsible for conference evaluations since the 2001 workshop, the Commissioner is wrong. Obviously, the Commissioner does not understand the demands of our job especially following the winter athletic season.

Yesterday, the Steering Committee of the DAANJ met to discuss our options. The Steering Committee is comprised of the Executive Director of the DAANJ, the President, the President Elect, the Secretary, the Past President, the Registration Chair, the Retiree Chair, the Exhibit Chair, the NJSIAA Executive Director and out Legal Council who was available by phone if we needed him.

After discussing the possibilities, the decision was made to run the workshop as it has been in the past. For your information, the Commissioner was presented with an alternative workshop but that was denied as well. From what was shared by President Vacca, in the future all overnight stays will be denied. With this in mind, your district can pay for Conference Registration which includes dues, registration and meals. Your district can also pay for mileage if youre outside the 50 mile radius of the Borgata. One person registration will be set at $325.00. During meals, programs will be presented or athletic issues will be discussed. Kim DeGraw Cole, President Elect has put together a solid workshop program.

Were asking our members to pay the hotel room rate of $103.00 per night which includes all taxes and hotel fees. This is an outstanding rate for The Borgata. Credit for this rate goes to Frank Baldachino, Executive Director of the DAANJ. For your information, the rates for 2010 and 2011 have been set at $135.00 and $155.00 respectively. However, the DAANJ has the option to break the contract with Borgata and either re negotiate and or look for better hotel rates which the Executive Committee will do.

Please respond to Billy Vacca, President of the DAANJ Vacca at vaccawilliam@msn.com regarding the following three questions:

1. Have you attended the state AD conference in the past and if so, do you intend to go this year knowing what you now know?
2. You have attended in the past but you were not planning on attending this year.
3. You have attended in the past and now that you have to pay for your own hotel room (which you can share with another AD); you do not plan to attend this year.


Bill Edelman
Secretary DAANJ
Vernon Township HS