If there's anything that should come out of this debacle it's that the two boards should have been communicating all along.

If you're the public board, you have to know that the only reason the Catholic board was receptive to this behind the back scheme was because the were literally out of the loop in the district.  You work WITH them, and ensure there's compromise, and then they don't have the motivation to stick it to you.

If you're the Catholic board, you have to know that the public board has long term plans that don't involve you, because you haven't had a school there in years.  You have to know you're screwing up their long term planning with this move, and that you're going to tick people off and generate a legal challenge.  Why not approach the public board when you first get that call from those parents and keep it above board?

Now, if this ruling sticks, that Catholic board will be the impetus for the removal of separate funding, province wide. Congrats!