Board Meeting 2018-2019

NSML Board Meeting - May 8, 2019

Maine South High School

NSML Board Meeting Agenda —NOTES Wednesday, May 8, 2019, 4:00-6:00 p.m. Maine South High School, Room A115

  1. New President –handover and welcome to Andrew Mauer-Oats. Thank you to Richard Agin.

  2. 2019-20 Schedule – Steve Goodman/Ryan Sutherlin

    Meets #1-4: Thurs, Sept 26, Wed, Oct. 30, Thurs, Dec 12th, Wed, Feb. 5th Conference Meet: Thursday, March 5th, 2020.

    31 schools submitted conflict forms.

  3. Divisions – Peter Nilsen

    a. Schools out: Downers Grove North, Glenbard West

    b. New schools? Wheaton Warrenville South

    Comments: Schools leaving went to West Suburban Math League. Wheaton North looking for coach. Wheaton Warrenville South entering league in Tao Division with needed shifts from there. Divisions will be finalized in fall after registration is due.

    Agreement reached re: using weighted average of other scores for placement if missing conference.

    Discussion: recommendation to provide contact for new schools to help with directions. Liz Moore volunteered to answer questions for Wheaton Warrenville South.

  4. All Conference/Mixed Events - Peter Nilsen

    • Discussions: Suggestion is acknowledge those who participate in all 5 meets at high level but not otherwise eligible
    • Challenges mentioned include developing criteria for award and availability of honorable mention already.
    • Outcome: During regular nomination flow for 2020, data will be collected for review. Based on the review, the idea will either be discontinued or possible criteria will be developed for the future years.
    • Suggestion to change nomination form to emphasize divisional awards. Isaac Greenspan discussed the potential for future development of nominating and score tabulation via website (possibly 1-2 years out).

  5. Written Topics – Liam Keigher

    Comments: Appreciated location at conference mtg for giving input. Suggestion for exploring same opportunity for orals.

    Discussion re: Juniors Meet #4 topic coverage and clarity. Outcome: Juniors Meet #4 topic will become last year’s Senior Meet #1 topic and description.
    Discussion re: Juniors Meet #1 topic. Outcome: Leaving as is.
    Discussion re: Senior Meet #4 topics title. Outcome: Changing to “Vectors”

  6. Oral Topics – Matt Moran

    • Discussion re: long time on same topic from Meet #4 to State competition. Outcome: leave as is
    • Discussion re: conics being both oral and written topics. Outcome: leave as is

  7. Question Writing/Item Analysis/Contest Difficulty – Richard Agin/Rich Cortez

    Rich Cortez created/supplied “Question Difficulty Discussion” data and document representing item analysis of last 12 years and questions to consider. Richard Agin shared current request of problem writers is for 90% of contestants answering question #1 correctly. Outcomes: investigate providing guidance of high school teacher experienced feedback on accessibility of problems #1 and #2 to problem writers. (Suggestion: leave one week’s time for this review/feedback to happen.) Share data directly with problem writers. Re-emphasize 90% request to problem writers.

  8. Treasury – Liz Moore

    Liz Moore shared documents may look different due to AOPS sales. Brown plaques no longer available and supplier has rosewood replacement. Dues will stay same at $175.

    Discussion: Richard Agin received request from possibly Fremd to sell t-shirts for charity. Craig Barnes volunteered to follow up with Fremd. Steve Goodman suggested Webstore idea.

    Outcome: Request for proposal for board to review, discuss, approve.

  9. Website – Isaac Greenspan

    Isaac Greenspan shared several improvements on a list as time permits. Discussion/Comments: Desire to adjust workflow for upload after each contest. Need for re-set for next year.

  10. Updating Website Documents – Richard Agin/Andrew Mauer-Oats

    Discussion of need to update scripts. Liz Moore volunteered to update written scripts. Richard Agin volunteered to update oral script.

    Comments: Benefits of candy bar contest need for directions. Laptops being used by some students during the contest.

    Agreement that number of trophies will equal number of members of Milenkovic-Schultz.

  11. Other Business

    • Reminder needed re: need for 2 proctors for orals (1 for sequester and prep and 1 for timing). * Remind coaches it is okay to ask visiting coaches to help if needed.
    • Comment re: challenges of travel times. General questions re: West Suburban Math League question format and decisions.