ANTIOCH -- In a case being closely followed by charter school advocates and education administrators throughout the state, a Contra Costa Superior Court judge is expected to soon decide the fate of dueling efforts for control of Dozier-Libbey Medical High School.

The decision could reverberate far beyond Antioch, changing the playing field in how districts respond to efforts to turn their schools into charters.

Antioch Unified officials threw a monkey wrench into the typical process last month when it filed its own charter petition for the medical-themed magnet school to thwart a teacher-led petition to convert it into an independent charter -- a novel move for California that has befuddled and concerned many who have followed charter school-related efforts for years.

"I've never seen such a case where a district is explicitly countering with a bid to take over a school and with such a deep and rigid line in the sand," said Bruce Fuller, a public policy and education professor at UC Berkeley.

The school district, concerned that its rejection of the teachers' charter petition will be overturned on appeal, is proposing to turn Dozier-Libbey into a dependent charter. Under that scenario, the school would establish an advisory committee and receive a dedicated funding stream, as is the case with traditional charters, but continue to be governed by the school district. Student-athletes could also continue to compete on athletic teams at the district's other high schools, as is currently the case.

If the teachers prevail with their conversion effort, the new charter school would take control of its own operations with no district input.

The two sides will be in court Monday morning.

Judge Laurel Brady is being asked to determine the legality of the district's petition and a request from proponents of the independent charter for a temporary restraining order to "maintain the status quo which preceded the controversy," including using the school logo, facilities and curriculum.

The district filed a response to the injunction request, saying it must prepare for the next school year, and has already taken several steps toward converting the school into a dependent charter.

Charter advocates worry about what will happen if Antioch Unified's strategy succeeds, with some saying it could serve as a blueprint on how to thwart charter petitions and undercut state law.

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Unchartered territory: Dueling petitions for Antioch medical high school draws wide attention