Releaguing Issue Returned to Section for Discussion : Decision: CIF panel does not find sufficient explanation for allowing Catholic schools to join public leagues.

A three-member panel from the California Interscholastic Federation state office ruled Tuesday that the Southern Section did not sufficiently explain its reasons for allowing four county Catholic high schools to join public school leagues in 1992 and sent the matter back to the section for further discussion.

After listening to nearly three hours of testimony Friday at a hearing in Carson, the panel decided the section’s Executive Committee and General Council lacked reasons--or “findings”--for the decision.

Southern Section Commissioner Stan Thomas said the Executive Committee would meet May 29 to ensure that all findings are in order and on the record before the General Council meets later that day. All findings will be forwarded to the state CIF for approval.

The panel, chaired by George Bergna of Santa Rosa, heard an appeal on behalf of eight county school districts represented by attorney David Larsen. Larsen argued that public school principals were denied due process and fairness while being represented at the General Council meeting.

Santa Margarita was allowed to join a public school league in a decision Feb. 20 by the section’s Executive Committee. Three weeks later, the section’s General Council voted to allow Mater Dei, Servite and Rosary into public leagues.

“The futility of this is absolutely exasperating,” Thomas said. “We’re seeing the same things over and over. But our attorney said, and I agree, that he needed to be prepared for court and needed all the ducks in a row. These findings are his ducks at this point, so we’re going to give it to him.”

Attorney Andrew Patterson, who counseled both sides at last week’s hearing, indicated that attorneys representing the eight school districts would pursue the issue in court.

Larsen represents the Anaheim Union, Brea-Olinda Unified, Garden Grove Unified, Huntington Beach Union, Irvine Unified, Los Alamitos Unified, Saddleback Valley Unified and Tustin Unified school districts.