Broken Arrow board moves into executive session for student suspension hearing

The Broken Arrow Public Schools Board of Education read procedures for a due-process hearing and voted to move into executive session to consider an out-of-school suspension for a student identified in the transcript as "student A."

The board president outlined the order of the hearing and noted the superintendent's designee Derek Blackburn and district legal counsel Beau Rainey were present. The student and the student's parent or guardian were present with legal counsel Mr. Funk. The president explained that both sides would have an opportunity to present opening statements, call and cross-examine witnesses, and present rebuttal before closing arguments. If requested by the student or guardian, deliberations could occur in executive session; otherwise the board would deliberate in open session and then vote to adopt findings of fact and determine the reasonableness of any suspension.

The board voted by roll call to move into executive session; the transcript records yes votes from members present. The transcript does not include the contents of the executive session or any final public action taken after the closed hearing.