AUGUSTA -- The Interscholastic Management Committee of the Maine Principals' Association rejected a number of proposals Monday to limit games and participation for the state's high school athletes.

The MPA committee rejected proposals to cut the number of regular season games by one or two, depending on the length of schedule. It also rejected proposals for Maine to withdraw from New England competition and to cut the length of the swimming and ice hockey seasons by one week.

"I think they've thrown it back into the hands of the local taxpayers, principals and athletic directors," Erskine Academy athletic director Doran Stout said.

The MPA did vote to cut the number of teams qualifying for postseason play from 67 percent to 50 percent and amended a proposal to cut non-countable games to five. It also accepted a recommendation to freeze game fees and travel for officials. Approved changes go into effect for the 2009-10 school year.

The proposals, requested as cost-cutting measures by superintendents and principals around the state, sparked heated debate when they were made public by the MPA in December. Two lawmakers have introduced bills into this legislative session to limit the jurisdiction of the MPA.

"A lot of people were upset with the association," MPA executive director Dick Durost said. "This is the way it's supposed to work. It worked to perfection."

The MPA heard from principals and athletic directors, including the 29-school Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference which submitted an extensive document based on its own recommendation.

"That's just step one," KVAC executive secretary Brian Hatch said. "We're going to go back to the table as a group and say now what?"

Hatch said KVAC schools have already taken steps to cut costs such as scheduling boys and girls varsity doubleheaders and cutting back on freshman and subvarsity games.

"We recognize there's a financial crisis," he said. "Just give us some time to work out an equitable solution."

The original proposal to cut non-countable games to two drew heated opposition. Non-countable games include preseason and holiday tournaments as well as scrimmages and exhibitions. There was no previous limit and the MPA committee felt this was unfair to schools that could not afford to schedule travel for a lot of games.

"I think that's very fair," Stout said. "I think it's liberal enough to allow for Christmas tournament that some schools hold dear."

Proposed elimination of Maine participation in New England competition was also a hot point of contention. Maine competes in cross country, track and field, swimming, wrestling and golf.

"I think it opens up avenues for kids to get into post-secondary education," Lawrence High School athletic director Bill MacManus said of New England competitions.

MacManus cited one of his school's cross country runners who was recruited by college coach at last year's New England championships.

"He wouldn't have otherwise had that chance," he said.

The Lawrence AD added he did not favor the rule cutting postseason play to 50 percent of the teams.

"I personally like more kids getting into the tournaments," he said.

Pay increases for officials usually occur at very small increments, according to Mike DeLois, who assigns games for Central Maine Board's 20 basketball officials. Their four-year contract is up this year.

"I actually don't see the group getting upset if we don't get a raise," he said. "It's not like we get big ones."

Basketball officials receive $62 apiece for a two-person game and $53 if a game is overseen by three people. They also receive 42 cents per mile, an amount that is tied to the State of Maine contract.

"I don't know if we'd go for no travel (increase) because if gas shoots up again, that's not a good thing," he said.

Stout said his budget at Erskine has absorbed a sizable cut this year, causing him to lean more on athletic booster groups.

"We feel obligated to our athletes and our coaches to give them what they need to be competitive," he said.

Gary Hawkins -- 621-5638

ghawkins@centralmaine.com