A lawsuit against the Department of Education by three Maui families contesting the rule that prevents public school students from playing the same league sport if they transfer schools has been dropped, according to one of the defendants, parent David Kong.

The case had been ongoing even though the judge ruled against the defendants in a preliminary hearing more than two weeks ago. But now the suit is officially ended, said Kong.

On Monday, a Board of Education committee will hear an update on the transfer policies of interscholastic athletic associations on each of the islands. The court case had hampered public discussion of the issue.

Currently the policies differ, but the committee had asked the associations to see if they can come up with policies that are consistent throughout the state.

Some but not all associations require "sit out" rules for a year after an athlete has transferred schools. The intent has been to keep coaches from recruiting top athletes from rival schools as well as to prevent parents from "shopping" for the best team for their child.

The board committee asked for some uniformity as a way to keep schools focused on academics rather than athletics.