Our Scheduling Process and Policies

Scheduling Process

Schools looking to host a competition may request JAM officials, and we will schedule the appropriate amount of judges, tab room officials and kick counter/timers for their meets.  When using JAM scheduling services, we ask that the entire judging panel consist only of JAM members.  This allows us to keep the panel balanced, make emergency replacements when necessary, and allows our Superior Judge to manage the meet and judges as effectively as possible.

How it Works:

  1. The JAM Scheduling Team receives meet requests from the host school via our online form, and approves or denies requests as dates fill up.

  2. The Scheduling Team compiles all of the meet requests into one master calendar.  In the early fall, the Scheduling Team sends the master list to our members and asks members to respond with their availability and interest.  As additional meets are added throughout the season, we follow the same procedure on a smaller scale.

  3. After the Scheduling Team receives the responses back from our members, officials are scheduled and the meets are confirmed via our online scheduling software.

  4. Once all officials have confirmed their assignments, the Scheduling Team contacts both the host school and Superior Judge with the meet details and list of assigned officials.  The Scheduling Team strives to send out this information one month prior to the date of competition.

  5. The Superior Judge then works directly with the host school to confirm meet specifics such as competition schedule, order of performance and officials’ fees.  The Superior Judge also relays this pertinent information back to the assigned officials.

Scheduling Policies

Meet Requests

  • The period to request officials for meets is May 11, 2026 and May 18, 2026 through August 31, 2026. Requests for officials during this period must be made via the Meet Request Form available on the JAM website.

    • New this year, you may first request Conference Meets only beginning on May 11, 2026. This will prioritize Conference Meets in being scheduled before any other types of meets. The last day for Conference Meet priority is May 17, 2026.

    • You may request all other meets, including invitationals and showcases/ scored performances, etc., one week later on May 18, 2026.

  • Requests made after August 31, 2026 are subject to a $50 late fee. Officials will not be scheduled until the late fee payment has been received. For meet requests after August 31, 2026 please email jamscheduler@gmail.com.

  • Meet Coordinators should provide an additional Host School contact (possibly an athletic director or dance team coach) on the Meet Request Form.

  • The JAM Scheduling Team reserves the right to close any date during the dance team season when we are at capacity of requested officials. Any closed dates will be publicized on the JAM website and the Meet Request Form.

  • JAM reserves the right to deny the request for a meet for any reason.

Weeknight Meets
(Conference Meets & Small Invitationals)

  • All weeknight meets are to be capped at 25 routines for one panel of officials. If more than 25 routines are expected, two panels will be required.

  • Small invitationals and conference meets at Metro schools (within the Metro Athletic Directors Officials Fees Committee) should be scheduled for Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday evenings, if possible.  First priority will be given to metro meets on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

  • Small invitationals and conference meets at Outstate schools (NOT within the Metro Athletic Directors Officials Fees Committee) should be scheduled for Thursday or Friday evenings. First priority will be given to outstate meets on Thursdays and Fridays.

  • Meets at Metro schools on weeknights should not begin prior to 6:00 pm, whenever possible. Meets at Outstate schools on weeknights should not begin prior to 6:30 pm. Accommodations may be considered upon request (i.e., MLK Jr. Day).

Saturday Invitationals

  • Saturday invitationals require a minimum of 20 routines in order to be scheduled.

  • Any Saturday meet with over 40 routines will be strongly recommended to run a dual-sided event with two panels of officials.

  • Meets with over 100 routines (“Mega Meets”) will be billed as two separate meets, meaning officials are to be compensated the rate of pay for 100 routines and then an additional rate of pay for the number of routines exceeding 100.

  • Any meet that schedules a break in the day that is 60 consecutive minutes or longer will also be billed as two separate meets.

  • Scored performances and dual meets are the lowest priority for scheduling on Saturdays.

Finalized Meet Information

  • Finalized meet information is required six weeks prior to the event. The JAM Scheduling Team will reach out to meet coordinators to confirm meet information. If finalized meet information is not received, officials will not be scheduled.

  • Meets that are cancelled less than six weeks prior to the event are subject to a $50 cancellation fee.

  • Meets that cancel one panel after it has already been scheduled are subject to a $50 cancellation fee.

  • Meets that add another panel less than six weeks prior to the event are subject to a $50 late fee.

Miscellaneous

  • If a dual-sided meet with two panels of officials utilizes only one experienced, proficient tabulator instead of two tabulators, the tabulator shall be paid the Superior Judge rate of pay for the event. This will be done as a last resort in order to efficiently utilize officials on busy dates, with consent from the Meet Referee, the tabulator, and the host school.