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Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Since We Asked Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend June 14, 2006 Eugene files appeal on OSAA decision The Associated Press EUGENE — The Eugene School District wasted little time in becoming the first district to continue the fight against a shakeup of Oregon high school sports. The district filed an appeal Monday with the Oregon Court of Appeals, challenging the Oregon School Activities Association's decision to expand the state's classification system from four classes to six. The appeal follows Friday's announcement by Oregon Superintendent of Public Instruction Susan Castillo in support of the OSAA proposal. With no set time line for the Appeals Court to hear or decide the case, the Eugene district officials say they assume the six-class plan will take effect in the fall. The Eugene, Medford and Salem-Keizer school districts had all challenged the reclassification, claiming it would force athletes to miss substantially more class time and add to transportation costs. Advertisement Castillo said she understood the complaints, but decided the OSAA did not violate the rules of the Department of Education or any state or federal laws when making its decision. Castillo added that she planned to introduce legislation to prioritize how classification and redistricting is done, putting student safety and academics first. The plan, approved by the OSAA's Executive Board in October, moved Redmond into a league with the six Salem-Keizer high schools. Two Eugene schools, meanwhile, were moved into a league with teams in Medford — about 170 miles away. The OSAA moved to six classes in an effort to improve competitive balance, and the plan was supported by most of its member schools. But according to the Eugene School District Web site, officials expect the increased travel for the two Eugene schools to cost an extra $66,000 per year. Moreover, it says, lost gate receipts from smaller crowds, put off by traveling, might decrease annual revenue by $50,000. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems California Casinos Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Advertisement s