Okmulgee Board votes 3-1 to dismiss teacher after due-process hearing

The Okmulgee Board of Education voted 3-1 March 10, 2025 to dismiss teacher Clifton Harris from employment after a due-process hearing and executive session. Ms. Bohannon moved to dismiss and Mr. James seconded; the motion carried with Mr. Parker recorded as the sole nay vote.

The board convened a dismissal hearing in special session beginning at 5:30 PM. President Leroy Parker outlined hearing procedures and the parties identified counsel: district attorney Mark Rains and Harris' attorney Lawrence Lane. The record notes an early objection from district counsel that the "5 days prior" notice rule had not been followed; President Parker recorded the objection and the board proceeded with no board-level objection to halting the hearing.

During the district's case, counsel called witnesses Chassidy Keesee, Brylee Jarvis and Samariah Husman and moved to admit exhibits including #8–#12. The district also called LuVona Copeland and moved for admission of exhibits #1–7 and #13–15. The teacher's counsel then presented witnesses Mariah Price, Joanna Lobaugh and Steven Lobaugh in defense. The minutes record two restroom breaks (7:42–7:51 PM and 9:15–9:20 PM) and note there was no rebuttal or surrebuttal.

At 9:36 PM the board moved into executive session to deliberate under Oklahoma statute; the board returned to open session at 10:55 PM and the executive session minutes were read. Justin Cliburn read Findings of Fact and Conclusions; the board voted to adopt the Findings (motion by Mr. James, second by Ms. Bohannon) with a 3-1 vote (Mr. Parker opposed). Following that action Ms. Bohannon moved to dismiss Clifton Harris and the motion carried 3-1. The minutes do not specify the specific factual findings in the public portion of the record or any severance/appeal timeline.