RISON - Both sides in a legal battle regarding the eligibility of a former Rison High School student to play athletics after transferring to Woodlawn High School continued last week as both the plaintiff and defendants made new filings in Cleveland County Circuit Court.Steven Saeler, the plaintiff, is asking the court to issue a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction that would allow his son, an 11th grader, to participate in athletics immediately.Meanwhile, Little Rock attorney Kody Kees, representing three of the defendants in the case (the Cleveland County School District, Superintendent Davy King and Rison High School Athletic Director Chris Vereen) asked the court to dismiss the case on the grounds that the issue pertains to the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) and its rules rather than the school district.The AAA is also listed as a defendant in the case.Both motions were filed last Wednesday, Aug. 20, in Cleveland County Circuit Court.Saeler filed the original lawsuit on behalf of his minor son through Star City attorney Clint Todd on July 3. He asked the court for "declaratory judgment and for damages for deprivation of rights" after King refused to sign a "Changing School/Athletics Participation" (CSAP) form that would allow his son to participate in athletics at Woodlawn.According to the lawsuit, King refused to sign the form claiming the student was recruited to play athletics at Woodlawn. Saeler's lawsuit called that claim "frivolous" and without evidence.In addition to asking the court to allow his son to participate in athletics this school year, the lawsuit also asks the court to award attorney fees and monetary damages, including punitive damages, for intentional infliction of emotional distress. On July 28, the AAA, through its attorney Ed McCorkle of Arkadelphia, asked for a motion to dismiss the case since the lawsuit was not filed in Pulaski County where the AAA is located. T...
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