Due Process - OK SERC

Due Process Hearing

A due process hearing is a court-like review process governed by administrative laws. SERC will provide a highly-trained hearing officer who will preside over the hearing and whose decisions have the effect of law and are binding upon the parties participating in the hearing. During a hearing, both parties subpoena and present witnesses and perform cross-examination; present admissible evidence; may present depositions or affidavits; engage in closing arguments, and request that the hearing officer rule favorably on their positions. Parties may represent themselves or be represented by attorneys at their own expense.

Resources & Forms to Request a Due Process Hearing

Additional Resources

Due Process Requests by Year

Hearing Officers

David Blades

Mr. Blades is an attorney in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He earned his juris doctorate from the University of Tulsa. He is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Oklahoma as well as federal courts in the Northern District of Texas and the Western District of Arkansas. Before practicing law, he was an intelligence officer for the Central Intelligence Agency.

Robert Bost

Mr. Bost is an attorney in private practice in Owasso, Oklahoma and is licensed to practice in Oklahoma and Texas. He earned his juris doctorate from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Notre Dame. Mr. Bost previously served as an administrative law judge, an assistant judge advocate for the United States Air Force, and a staff judge advocate of the Oklahoma Air National Guard.

Lucy Kroblin

Ms. Kroblin is an attorney in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She earned her juris doctorate from the University of Tulsa. Ms. Kroblin has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Saint Mary’s Notre Dame. She has over 25 years of mediation experience and currently mediates domestic and agricultural cases.

Hugh Rineer

Mr. Rineer is an attorney-mediator in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He earned his juris doctorate from the University of Tulsa. He has served as a Special District Judge for the 14th Judicial District, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Mr. Rineer is currently an Adjunct Settlement Judge for the Northern District of Oklahoma and a member of the Adjunct Faculty at the University of Tulsa, College of Law, teaching mediation.

Appeal Officers

David Blades

Catherine Welsh

Ms. Welsh graduated from the University of Texas College of Law. She earned her bachelor’s of science in biology from the University of Houston. Ms. Welsh is a former teacher, having taught high school chemistry, mathematics, and economics. Ms. Welsh most recently taught at the University of Tulsa College of Law, teaching Texas Civil Procedure as an adjunct professor and teaching full-time as a clinical instructor in the elder law clinic. Ms. Welsh previously clerked with Walsh, Anderson, Underwood, Schulze & Aldridge, a Texas firm specializing in representing school districts. Ms. Welsh has a private elder law practice and is licensed in Oklahoma and Texas.

If you are interested in becoming a Hearing Official for the Special Education Resolution Center, please send a resume and a cover letter explaining your interest in serving in this capacity to:

Special Education Resolution Center
9726 E. 42nd Street, Suite 203
Tulsa, OK 74146
Phone: 918.270-1849 or 800.257.1705 (toll-free)
Fax: 918.270.2062

At a minimum, a hearing officer:

May not be an employee of the school or agency involved in the education or care of the child; or
May not be a person having a personal or professional interest that conflicts with the persons objectivity in the hearing; and
Must possess knowledge of, and the ability to understand, the provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); federal and state regulations pertaining to IDEA; and legal interpretations of IDEA by federal and state courts; and
Must possess the knowledge and ability to conduct hearings in accordance with appropriate, standard legal practice; and
Must possess the knowledge and ability to render and write decisions in accordance with appropriate, standard legal practice.

Additionally:

All Hearing and Appeal Officials assigned by the this office are expected to have the ability and experience necessary to weigh evidence and testimony presented and to make decisions in keeping with the evidence and testimony.
All Hearing and Appeal Officials are expected to remain impartial in discharging their responsibilities at all times. If this is not possible, all Hearing and Appeal Officials have the responsibility to inform this office immediately.
All Hearing and Appeal Officials are expected to conduct hearings in a professional manner in accordance with established procedure, write decisions in a clear and concise manner based on law, and possess sufficient time to devote to these activities.
No individual who is an official or employee of an LEA will be assigned as a Hearing or Appeal Official. No attorney who currently represents parents or school districts or who, within recent years, has represented parents or school districts, will be assigned as a Hearing Official.
All Hearing and Appeal Officials will possess at least a law degree, or a minimum of a Master’s degree in education, special education, psychology, or any related field. There is a preference for law degrees. All Appeal Officials will have met the minimum training standards required of Hearing Officials and will have served in that capacity for at least two years in Oklahoma.