Montclair Prep Probe Will Go Before Panel

The CIF Southern Section has set Jan. 15-16 as the dates to hear the case against Montclair Prep, the Van Nuys school that has been investigated on charges of grade tampering as well as nonpayment of tuition by athletes in its football program.

The section’s 14-member executive committee will evaluate the investigation, conducted by Commissioner Stan Thomas, in an open hearing and could reach a decision immediately.

If found guilty of the charges, Montclair Prep could face severe penalties, including expulsion from the section.

The current investigation, the third of Montclair Prep in five years, was launched after the transfers of Derek and Leland Sparks, senior football players who left Montclair Prep in September for Mater Dei of Santa Ana.

In September, an uncle of the Sparks cousins claimed that Montclair Prep never charged tuition for his nephews and that the school also changed the pair’s grades.

Also at issue are charges that the school staged a phony living arrangement in the school’s dormitory five years ago in order to gain athletic eligibility for four football players.

Montclair Prep has posted a 9-3 record this year and will play Camp Kilpatrick for the Division X football championship Friday at Valley College.