District Says Iti Can Attend School

Martin Iti, the Australian basketball player attempting to continue his career at Villa Park High, may be one step closer to stepping on the hardwood in a Spartan jersey.

The Orange Unified School District will allow Iti to attend school as a foreign student for one year, provided he pays tuition, said Ronald E. Lais, an Anaheim Hills attorney representing Iti and his local guardian.

Courtney Rosegreen of Orange, Iti’s local guardian, has offered to pay tuition costs of about $2,500, Lais said.

Iti’s athletic eligibility, however, will remain in doubt until officials are satisfied he meets all the requirements for a foreign student. Lais said he plans to meet with school officials from Villa Park to “iron out the details” next week.

Geraldine Jaffe, the attorney representing the school district, could not be reached for comment.

Lais said he is hoping school district officials allow Iti, a junior, to stay at Villa Park for the remainder of his high school career by waiving the one-year restriction imposed on foreign students.

Iti, a 6-foot-11 center who averaged 12 points last year at Servite, has looked impressive in summer camp. He remains embroiled in an international custody dispute between Rosegreen and Legine Lovinia Paraita, Iti’s mother in Sydney. Iti has said he wants to remain in Orange County and play for Villa Park.

Paraita issued a statement in late May demanding that her son be returned to Australia after she learned he had transferred in April from Servite to Villa Park, his fourth transfer in two years.

But Lais said Iti’s mother has apparently softened her stance since speaking with her son in June.

“She’s still a little [upset], but she’s not pursuing it anymore,” Lais said.

Lais, who last month filed a petition in Orange County Superior Court seeking to install Rosegreen as Iti’s permanent guardian, said he will ask for a continuance at Monday’s preliminary custody hearing at the Juvenile Justice Center in Orange.

Lais said his goal is to stretch out the matter until Iti turns 18 on Feb. 28, at which time the custody issue becomes moot.

“We’re going to try to run out the clock on the minority status,” Lais said.