GAPPS Constitution and ByLaws

Constitution

Article I - Organization Title

The organization shall be known as the Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools (GAPPS).

Article II - Purpose of the Organization

The goal of GAPPS is to create an environment where high school and middle school students can compete at their levels yet still be encouraged to grow in their faith. GAPPS understands that its member schools, although they will be competing against each other, are all part of the same team (God's team). GAPPS desires to unite Christ-Centered Schools, Independent Schools and Learning Centers who wish to impact and influence their students through athletics. GAPPS member schools will work together to create a competitive athletic environment that honors God at all levels. GAPPS and its member schools should strive to set a Godly example of excellence for other associations to follow.

Article III - Membership and Classification

Section 1 - Membership

Membership with the Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools shall consist of schools maintaining minimal accreditation standards or organizations who were granted membership prior to January 22, 2020 and who meet the membership requirements set forth in the By-laws and have been accepted by the association leadership.

  1. Membership applications for the upcoming school year shall be submitted no later than October 1 of the preceding school year.
    1. Membership applications shall be reviewed at the time of submission
    2. A $500.00 (See Section 5) fee shall be invoiced at the time of membership acceptance.
    3. New membership begins on June 1 each year
    4. Once membership has been established, rules governing the association become effective

Section 2 - General Membership

General Membership with the Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools shall consist of independent schools maintaining minimal accreditation standards or organizations who were granted membership prior to January 22, 2020 and who meet the membership requirements set forth in the By-laws and have been accepted by the association leadership.

  1. General Members hold seats on committees authorized to vote on matters relevant to the operation of the association. These committees include, but are not limited to: Executive, Athletic, Fine Arts/Academics, Financial, New Membership Review, and Appeals.
  2. General Members who fail to participate in at least one sanctioned interscholastic program during a school year may be designated as an Associate Member.
    1. A one year term as Associate Membership status shall follow the membership status change.
    2. A $300.00 fee shall be invoiced at the time of the first billing cycle following the inactive school year.
    3. General Membership may be reinstated upon completion of the one year term and upon participation registration.
    4. Students who meet the definition of Alternatively Educated Students (AES) as described in bylaw 1.60, must be processed for eligibility.

Section 3 - Associate Membership

Associate Membership with the Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools shall consist of independent schools maintaining membership with another association, or schools and programs that do not meet accreditation requirements and desire interscholastic opportunities provided by the association.

  1. Associate members are not eligible to hold seats on interscholastic committees.
  2. Associate members shall not have voting rights on issues specific to the association.
  3. Students who meet the definition of Alternatively Educated Students (AES) as described in Bylaw 1.60, must be processed for eligibility.
  4. A $300.00 annual membership fee shall be invoiced at the time of the first billing cycle of the new school year.

Section 4 - Newly Formed Schools

A newly formed school desiring membership with GAPPS, or who have not previously held membership with a recognized interscholastic organization, if approved may serve a two-year period of probation.

  1. Schools on probation under this section shall not be eligible for post season participation in interscholastic team sports. 
    1. Coaches Certification
    2. Region Dues
    3. Catastrophic Insurance
    1. Shall be assigned to a region for competition purposes
    2. With the exception of team entry fees, shall be required to pay all fees associated with the participation to include, but not limited to;
  2. Schools on Probation may request immediate participation opportunities in non-team sports as well as interscholastic academic and fine arts programs. 
  3. During the probationary period, failure to comply with conference regulations as addressed in the GAPPS Constitution & Bylaws may result in immediate dismissal.
  4. Satisfactory completion of the probationary period shall result in qualified membership.

Section 5 - Membership Fees and Financial Obligations

The application process for membership in the Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools requires a processing fee as established by the association. Additional fees (Appendix A) including participation, catastrophic insurance, and other incidental fees are determined by the association and are expected to be paid in full.

Sanctioning for late payment may include:

  • 30 Days Late: A $50 late fee will be assessed.
  • 45 Days Late: An additional $50 late fee will be assessed. The member school may be designated as unsanctioned and may not participate in GAPPS-sanctioned competition, including make-up games.
  • 60 Days Late: An additional $50 late fee will be assessed. The member school may be dismissed from the association due to non-payment of membership obligations.

Section 6 - Membership Following Termination

Should a school’s membership be terminated for any reason, an application for membership (re-application) shall not be reviewed prior to 24 months following the date of termination.  In addition, any unresolved issues present at the time of membership termination must be resolved 12 months prior to membership consideration. This includes but is not limited to financial obligations, coaching sanctions, and sportsmanship related sanctions.

Section 7 - Participation Classification

In order to establish a standardized method of assigning students to the appropriate level of participation, GAPPS recognizes the following as a standard:

  • 1st through 5th Grade - Elementary
  • 6th through 8th Grade - Middle School
  • 9th through 12th Grade - High School

Section 8 - Classification of School

Member schools shall be placed in regions and classifications for the purpose of literary and athletic competition. Member schools will be realigned every two years. Classifications will be based on enrollment of Grades 8-11 of the year of reclassification. Schools will be classified as either Division I or Division II based on the classifications found in the By-laws.

Division I

  1. Requires GAPPS Membership as defined in Article III Section 1 or Article III Section 2 of the GAPPS Constitution.
  2. Shall be in compliance with the rules governing Alternatively Educated Students (AES) as it relates to the specific interscholastic program.
  3. Athletic competition shall be governed by (NFHS) National Federation of High Schools as adopted and modified by (GHSA) Georgia High School Association and (GAPPS) Georgia Association of Private & Parochial Schools.
  4. Classification may differ by program.

Division II

  1. Requires GAPPS Membership as defined in Article III Section 1 or Article III Section 2 of the GAPPS Constitution.
  2. Schools not in compliance with the rules governing Alternatively Educated Students (AES) as it relates to the specific interscholastic program.
  3. Classification may differ by program.

Open Division

Open Division participation may be offered to Associate Member schools desiring to participate in a GAPPS sanctioned activity, not offered by the participants' member association.

  1. The association shall determine whether an Open Division may be offered.
  2. The number of teams competing shall be determined by the association.
  3. Schools participating in open division are responsible for fees associated with the event.
  4. Shall be recognized as "Open Division" for the purpose of scheduling, seeding, and recognition of awards.

Section 9 - Region Assignments

Each program offered by a member school and entered into GAPPS for competitive purposes, shall be assigned to one of three categories:

  1. Region: Assigned by league and identifies the team(s) a school must compete against in order to seed into the State Playoffs.
    1. Geographical location of school/program is used to determine regional assignment for interscholastic participation.
    2. The number of regions are determined by the number of participating schools/programs in a particular interscholastic program.
  2. Sub Region: May be created when in the best interest of the region.
    1. Sub Regions are a part of the region structure. Sub Regions may be created as necessary in order to mediate logistical issues.
    2. Teams assigned to a Sub Region are not required to schedule outside the Sub Region.
    3. Region seeding is determined when two or more Sub Regions participate in a Region Tournaments.

Section 10 - Membership in another Association

GAPPS allows for schools to hold membership in other associations, provided that:

  1. The school establishes Associate Membership status with GAPPS.
  2. The school does not participate in the same sport for multiple associations during the same school year.
  3. The school is not in violation of the other association rules by participating with GAPPS.
  4. The school adheres to all GAPPS By-laws, rules and regulations set forth in this manual.

Article IV - Governance

Section 1 - GAPPS Officers

The Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools shall employ staff to represent the association in the day-to-day operations of the business.

  • President
  • Executive Director
  • Director of Athletics
  • Director of Fine Arts and Academics
  • Associate Director - Athletics
  • Office Manager

Section 2 - Executive Committee 

Membership on the Executive Committee (Appendix C) shall consist of the Heads of School from the General Membership.

  1. Positions on the Executive Committee are voluntary.
  2. The Executive Committee shall have the authority to amend rules of the association.
    1. May amend rules as proposed and passed by Interscholastic Committees.
    2. May amend rules referencing the Constitution and By-laws of the association.
      1. Proposals should be submitted to the President no later than 15 days prior to the executive committee meeting. 
      2. Proposals shall be submitted to the committee no less than 7 days prior to formal review.
    3. Each committee member will serve a two-year term beginning June 1st of the year they are appointed through May 31st of the final year of their two-year term.
  3. Executive Committee meetings are mandatory meetings and require attendance in order to record a vote.  Voting may not be done by proxy.
  4. Executive Sub-Committees may be established when deemed necessary and appropriate. Sub-Committee membership may consist of Head of Schools, Interscholastic Directors, or other persons as approved by the committee.  The term of service to the committee shall begin and expire at dates deemed suitable by the President.

Section 3 - Interscholastic Committees

Interscholastic Committees shall have the authority to approve proposals for rule change submitted by the membership, Sub Committees, and/or create proposals of rule change relative to interscholastic competitions.

 Each committee member will serve a two-year term beginning August 1st of the year they are elected through July 31st of the final year of their two-year term.

  1. Interscholastic Committee meetings are mandatory meetings and require attendance in order to record a vote.  Voting may not be done by proxy.
  2. Rule changes coming out of the Interscholastic will require final approval from the Executive Committee before being implemented.
  3. New rules will go into effect June 1 each year, except for rules relating to safety which can be immediately implemented upon approval from the Executive committee.
  4. Interscholastic Sub-Committees may be established when deemed necessary and appropriate. Sub-Committee membership shall consist of Interscholastic Directors or Coaches with knowledge specific to the Program. The term of service to the committee shall begin and expire at dates deemed suitable by the President.

Athletic Committee

Membership on the Athletic Committee (Appendix C) shall consist of Athletic Directors of Schools from the General Membership.

  1. Proposals concerning athletic competitions should be submitted to the association President no later than 15 days prior to the Athletic Committee meeting.
  2. Proposals passed by the Athletic Committee shall be submitted to the Executive Committee no less than 7 days prior to the Executive Committee meeting.

Fine Arts and Academics Committee

Membership on the Fine Arts and Academics Committee (Appendix C) shall consist of Fine Arts and Academics Directors of Schools from the General Membership.

  1. Proposals concerning Fine Arts and Academics competitions should be submitted to the association President no later than 15 days prior to the Fine Arts and Academics Committee meeting. 
  2. Proposals passed by the Fine Arts and Academics Committee shall be submitted to the Executive Committee no less than 7 days prior to the Executive Committee meeting.

Section 4 - Interscholastic Sub-Committees

The Association may form interscholastic sub-committees to assist with daily operations specific to an interscholastic program.

  1. Terms of service are determined by the association
  2. Shall work at the discretion of the association
  3. Primary function is to provide direction and assist with the day-to-day operations specific to the activity.
  4. Shall be chaired by the association director.

Section 5 - Appeal Committee

The Appeal Committee shall consist of members of the Executive and/or Interscholastic Committees selected by the Association.  The Appeal Committee will be made up of 12 members, of which 3-5 members will attend the Committee hearings held 3 times per year.

  1. The Appeal Committee shall have the authority to set aside the effect of the migratory rule; the courses passed rule and the accumulation of credits rule upon an individual student when in its opinion the rule creates an undue hardship upon that student.
  2. The Appeal Committee shall meet at a location and on dates established by the President and published in the Association Calendar. Requests will be considered to have a rule or rules set aside for the benefit of individual students and shall consider such requests at the meetings held for that purpose, but not at any other meetings of the committee. If conditions upon which a request is based develop after an Appeal Committee Hearing, the President is authorized to set a date for a special meeting to be held to consider such a case or cases.
  3. The Head of School of all member schools who have filed requests to have the effect of a rule set aside for individual students shall be notified of the time of the meeting at which such requests will be considered not less than seven (7) calendar days before such meeting.
  4. A request will be considered at a meeting only if complete information concerning the case is filed in writing with the President at least ten (10) calendar days prior to the date of the meeting and if a representative of the school, along with the student, is present at the meeting to furnish the Appeal Committee with information. Complete information includes a transcript, if applicable. Forms regarding submitting an appeal can be found on the GAPPS website.
  5. Schools that need to cancel appointments scheduled with the Appeals Committee must do so at least 24 hours before the appointment. Failure to cancel properly may result in a fine.
  6. The conditions which cause the student to fail to meet the eligibility requirements must have been beyond the control of the school, the student, and/or his parents, and such that none of them could reasonably have been expected to comply with the rule. Ignorance of the rule on the part of any or all of them shall not be considered sufficient cause for setting aside its effects.
  7. The decision of the Appeal Committee shall be decided by a majority vote to set aside the effects of the rule in each individual case, and such decision shall not be considered as setting a precedent for other cases of a somewhat similar nature.
  8. Appeal Committee meetings will consider appeals 3 times a year, or once per season. Meetings will be held on the second Wednesday of the following months: August (Fall), October (Winter), and January (Spring).
  9. Any other appeal requested (other than regularly scheduled dates) must be accompanied by a check sufficient to pay the entire estimated expenses of the Appeal Committee to defray the cost of bringing the Appeal Committee into session.
  10. An appeal of an eligibility decision must be based on one or more of the following reasons and be approved by the President:
    1. There is substantial new information to be submitted that was not heard by the previous group making the decision that is being appealed.
    2. There is an allegation that an Association rule was misapplied in that ruling.
    3. There is an allegation that due process was not given in previous considerations.
  11. An appeal of a decision by the President must be based on one of the following reasons:
    1. There is an allegation that an Association rule was misinterpreted.
    2. There is an allegation that the President did not afford due process to the school.
  12. The Association Appeal Committee, after hearing and/or examining the evidence submitted by the party or parties, may affirm or reverse the decision of the President. It will take a majority vote of the Appeal Committee to uphold the decision of the President.

Section 6 - Authority of President and Appellate Procedure 

  1. The President shall be authorized to interpret the rules of the Association and to impose the proper penalty for their violation. An Interscholastic Director shall, upon the absence or at the direction of the President, have all the powers and responsibilities of the President as provided under the Rules & Regulations of the Association. The President shall make all arrangements for holding and conducting the State Meets and Tournaments.
  2. All questions pertaining to eligibility or any other matters under the rules of the Association must first be submitted to the President.  If the question concerns a violation of any of the rules of the Association, the President shall notify the member schools involved and advise them of the charges and advise them of their right to submit evidence and their right to request a hearing. The President, after hearing or examining the evidence of the party or parties concerned, shall render a decision.
  3. The President shall have the authority to lengthen or shorten the time for appeals of decisions, if required in his discretion, to accommodate pending schedules, events or other matters.

Section 7 - Meetings

  1. Executive Committee Meeting
  2. Athletic Committee Meeting
  3. Fine Arts and Academics Committee Meeting
  4. Appeal Committee Meetings
  5. Leadership Conference (Bi-annual)
  6. Scheduling Meetings (Mandatory)
  7. All-State Selection Meetings (Mandatory)

Absence from mandatory meetings will result in a fine. Schools are encouraged to send representatives to all meetings.

Section 8 -Violation of Rules

  1. Each school is required to abide by all rules of GAPPS as adopted by the Executive Committee and interpreted by the President.
  2. The President is authorized to make such investigations as may be necessary and to judge whether or not a school has violated a rule. When a school is found guilty, the President is authorized to direct the penalty or penalties.
  3. A school violating any rule, whether it be due to carelessness, willfulness, ignorance or any other cause, may be subject to a fine of not more than two thousand-five hundred dollars ($2,500.00) for each offense, and/or probation in the sport(s) in which the violation has been made, and/or suspension from the Association up to a full calendar year, and/or forfeiture of games and/or contests involved.
  4. PROBATION: Placing a school on probation permits a school to compete in regular season games and/or contests, but will place restrictions on post-season participation as deemed appropriate by the President.
  5. A school which, after investigation, is adjudged guilty of violating the rules of the Association shall pay the costs incidental to such investigation; such costs to be in addition to fines or penalties assessed. Failure to pay the cost shall result in suspension or in lengthening the period of suspension.

Section 9 - Code of Ethics Reporting 

The Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools recognizes its responsibility with respect to the promotion of honesty, truthfulness, and accuracy in record-keeping and reporting. All schools are held to a standard reflecting honesty, truthfulness, and accuracy in record-keeping and reporting.  (Appendix D)

Article V - Vote

Each school shall have one (1) vote at the Heads Business Meeting.  Each committee member shall have one (1) vote at the committee meeting.

AMENDING RULES AND REGULATIONS

To amend the GAPPS Constitution, it shall take a majority vote of the Heads of School (or the appointed designee from their school) who are present at a regular or properly called meeting at which a quorum is present. Blank ballots, abstentions and pass votes are not permitted.

To amend the GAPPS By-laws or Interscholastic Competitions, it shall require a majority vote by the Executive Committee who are present at the regularly or properly called meeting at which a quorum is present.  Blank ballots, abstentions and pass votes are not permitted. 

Requests for change to the Constitution, By-laws or Interscholastic Competitions must be submitted to the President no later than February 1 of each school year.  The effective date of any change in the GAPPS Constitution, By-laws or Interscholastic Competition, unless safety related, shall be June 1st of the new school year.