The organization that was trying to negotiate a deal with soccer officials asking for a pay increase has decided to seek other options.

The High School Sports Officiating Coalition hopes to find referee organizations other than the Southern California Soccer Officials Association of San Diego that could provide officials for boys and girls soccer games.

“We're going to reach out ... to see if we can find people that want to officiate soccer games,” said Bill Stout, president of the HSSOC, an independent group representing schools and coaches. “We don't know how difficult that's going to be. It's the option we want to pursue. The other option is just canceling the season. That's not something we're willing to consider.”

Stout said his group is looking to meet with other officials' organizations by the end of next week. The soccer season is slated to begin shortly after Thanksgiving.

“Our goal is to have an uninterrupted regular season,” Stout said.

The HSSOC plans to find one or more organization from various parts of the county to ref games in their respective areas.

The HSSOC made the decision during a meeting Thursday in response to the SCSOASD's latest refusal to strike a deal.

“There never was a latest proposal,” SCSOASD President Bob Petterson said. “Their proposal was the same they made 14 or 15 months ago. I can't comment further because I haven't heard from HSSOC about what might or might not happen.”

Stout said his organization offered a $1-per-game increase for the 2008-2009 season. That's the same deal the HSSOC says it has offered soccer officials in recent years and is consistent with offers made to other associations. Under last year's terms, fees for two-man crews in San Diego were $57 apiece.

Soccer officials are calling for a $12-per-game increase over the next three years, including a $5 raise for the 2008-2009 season. That's similar to the deal struck between officials and the CIF Southern Section. Officials from the SCSOASD also ref Southern Section games in Orange and Los Angeles counties.

Such an increase in officials' pay would mean some San Diego schools already struggling to fund their programs could be forced to forfeit matches because they can't afford officials.

There's also a chance officials in other sports could request a fee increase if schools agreed to a pay hike for soccer. That possibility influenced the HSSOC's decision Thursday.

“This isn't about us; we represent schools,” Stout said. “We have to be responsible for the athletic budgets of the schools we represent.”

There is a chance the HSSOC could have difficulties reaching a deal with other officials' associations. Some referees work for several organizations that staff high school, college and club matches. Often, each organization has a different fee schedule for each level.

“It will probably be the same officials,” said Dave Whiddon, the boys soccer coach and athletic director at Rancho Buena Vista High School. “With one or two exceptions, the same guys would ref our games. I'm preparing as if there's going to be a season.”

Escondido High boys coach Carlos Hernandez said the athletes would be victims if the season is canceled.

“If that happens, club soccer could extend their season,” Hernandez said. “But not every kid can afford to play club soccer. I don't think that's going to happen, but if there's no high school season, it won't be easy to get it back in the future.”

That's why the HSSOC will attempt to sign a multi-year contract with several organizations.

“The timing is bad to be arguing back and forth,” Hernandez said. “I agree, to an extent, with both sides. But we need to knock it off and go play.”