NIAA begins process of hiring new executive director

The ball is rolling on finding a new executive director for the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association.

Albeit slowly.

The NIAA’s Board of Control voted during a teleconference Thursday to appoint legal counsel Paul Anderson to draft a job description and potential qualifications to replace Eddie Bonine as the executive director of the association. Bonine has been hired in a similar position by the Louisiana High School Athletic Association. His last official day with the NIAA is March 6.

Anderson also was asked by the board to draft a position announcement and explore the cost of having a search firm handle whittling down the field of potential applicants.

Anderson will report back to the board at its next scheduled meeting, Jan. 14 and 15 in Reno, and the job will not officially be posted until after that meeting. No timetable has been set for when Bonine’s replacement will be hired.

“This is a position that if you follow the history of Nevada, it’s a position that has a lot of longevity,” board president Erin Cranor said. “It’s a position where you’re likely to have someone in place for many years.”

There are no qualifications listed for the executive director’s position in the Nevada Administrative Code or Nevada Revised Statues, the rules that govern the NIAA.

When Bonine was hired to replace Jerry Hughes in 2007, among the minimum requirements listed on the job posting were a master’s degree in Educational Administration or a related field and the demonstrated ability to work effectively with school and administrative personnel.

Bonine suggested the board consider current state assistant directors who may not hold master’s degrees, if they have at least eight years of experience as an assistant director. NIAA assistant directors Donnie Nelson and Jay Beesemyer do not hold a master’s degree, though it’s not known if either would be interested in applying for the position.

“My thoughts have been centered around what it will be like for our kids and maintaining the integrity of high school athletics,” Cranor said. “My thoughts relate to how we can take action that ensures the NIAA can continue to serve our kids responsibly.”

Bonine’s contract required he give the board a 90-day notice when leaving. He notified the board Dec. 8, and Bonine said Thursday he intends to fulfill the full 90 days as the NIAA’s executive director.

The board could choose to let Bonine out of his contract before the 90 days, but that was not discussed Thursday as it was not on the meeting agenda.

“I have no intention of shucking my responsibilities to this association,” Bonine said. “I will work cooperatively with staff until the door hits me.”

The board has regular meetings only four times each year. After the January meeting, its next scheduled meeting would not take place until after Bonine’s 90-day period expired. Anderson suggested the board plan to have more special meetings during the process.

Contact reporter Bartt Davis at bdavis@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5230.