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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Schools Work To Finalize Games After Local Football Officials Strike Only Minor Changes Expected As Outsiders Expected To Help

Although the view from opposite sides of the fence is different, it appears the majority of high school football games in the Spokane area will go on as scheduled this weekend.

Inland Empire Football Officials Association referees voted Sunday night not to work games unless the method of payment is restored.

Monday morning, the IEFOA was decertified by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, clearing the way for schools to find other certified officials to work.

Russ Brown, assistant executive secretary of District 7, said nearby associations have agreed to help out and only Coeur d’Alene has declined.

In addition, he said, “We were promised by the president of the state association that officials from Tacoma and Seattle would come at the drop of a hat. Likewise officials from Missoula and Kalispell.”

However, Jerry Skogstad, president of the IEFOA, said, “We’ve talked to all the associations within 250 miles and they agreed with our stand and will not supply officials.”

Representatives of the Greater Spokane League, Frontier League, Northeast A, B-11 and B-8 schools serviced by the IEFOA met Monday morning to discuss how to get football games covered.

Brown said Friday’s GSL, Frontier and B-8 games would probably be played as scheduled. He said he hoped to have the scheduled finalized by Wednesday morning.

“We wish them all the luck in the world,” Skogstad said. “We’re not mad at the schools. We want the kids to play football.”

In the past, referees were paid by the schools when they showed up to work a game. The schools wanted to change the procedure with the association paying the individuals after the schools paid the association one lump sum. In fact, the IEFOA already has the money to cover the GSL through the end of the regular season. That money will be returned to the schools.

At the heart of the disagreement is whether referees are independent contractors as they are when paid by individual schools or employees of the association, which the Internal Revenue Service is arguing.

When the two parties couldn’t agree on the method of payment, the issue went to binding arbitration with Mike Colbrese, executive director of the WIAA, as the arbitrator as required by the Washington Officials Association constitution. He ruled for the schools and gave the IEFOA until October to establish the framework to pay its referees.

After the first weekend of games when they weren’t paid on site, the referees voted not to work.

Skogstad said the referees did not believe they were bound by Colbrese’s decision because he is an employee of the schools they service.

Meanwhile, there will be a rules clinic Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in rooms 238 and 240 of Shadle Park High School. People interested in refereeing and becoming certified can call 353-4438, 353-3661 or 235-9510. School officials said they would help form a new association.

, DataTimes