SALEM, Ore. (AP) - State School Superintendent Susan Castillo has asked lawmakers to give her more authority over high school sports leagues.
     
This was following an uproar over a realignment that grouped schools into new leagues requiring more travel for some student athletics.
     
At issue is the Oregon School Activities Association' move last year to a six-classification system for sports and other activities for the state's 290 high schools.
     
The action shifted Redmond into a league with the six Salem-Keizer high schools. Two Eugene schools, meanwhile, were placed in a league with teams in Medford -- about 170 miles away.
     
Most schools in Oregon, especially smaller and midsize ones, have endorsed the changes. But some large schools remain opposed, citing decreased class time and increased travel costs.
     
Districts in Eugene, Medford and the Salem-Keizer have taken the issue to the Oregon Court of Appeals.
     
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)