A California state court judge issued a temporary restraining order that barred the Southern Section of the California Interscholastic Federation from releasing details involving a high school and its self-imposed penalties.
In so ruling, a judge from the Orange County Superior Court found that disclosure of a letter detailing the penalty “would cause irreparable harm” to the employee or employees at Santa Margarita High School who were disciplined.
Santa Margarita High admitted on March 31 that it violated Southern Section rules when its football coach, Harry Welch, met with parents of youth football players during an open house at its new athletic facility. Specifically, it admitted to violating rule 510, or undue influence.
Shortly thereafter, the section imposed a one-year post-season ban on the program. The school then responded with additional penalties, which were accepted by the Southern Section.
The Los Angeles Times had requested information and details of the punishment, relying on the California Public Records Act request. The Santa Margarita and the Roman Catholic Bishop of Orange, through their attorney, argued that the letter was related to a personnel issue involving a private employee of a private institution.
