Oklahoman
A state official who lost his vote over Epic Charter Schools because of a perceived conflict of interest is on the brink of having his recusal overturned.
Mathew Hamrick sued the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board and the board’s executive director on April 13 to regain voting power on Epic-related matters.
He and board member Phyllis Shepherd were disqualified Dec. 8 from all discussions and votes on Epic because of ties to Epic co-founder David Chaney.
Hamrick could regain his ability to vote on Epic if he agrees to drop the lawsuit.
The three board members who aren’t recused decided Monday to rescind Hamrick’s disqualification if he dismisses the case with prejudice, meaning he could never re-file it again.
Oklahoman
A member of the state agency overseeing virtual education is suing that same agency to overturn his disqualification from discussions and votes on Epic Charter Schools.
Mathew Hamrick filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board in Oklahoma County District Court.
Hamrick, of Oklahoma City, is a member and former chairperson of the board. He is also the chief procurement officer for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
Current Chairperson Robert Franklin and members Barry Beauchamp and Brandon Tatum voted Dec. 8 to recuse Hamrick from all discussions and votes on any matter related to Epic One-on-One Charter School because of his connections with Epic co-founder David Chaney.
Though Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill Wednesday reinstating Open Meetings Act amendments, Norman Mayor Breea Clark said waiting for the approval has caused issues in the city government’s workings.
March 10, 2020 at Norman, Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma Board of Regents Norman Campus Committee will meet for a Special Meeting at the Bizzell Memorial Library, Room LL118, 401 W. Brooks Street, on the Norman campus on March 10, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. Active discussion will be held on the 2020-21 Student Activity Fee Budget – NC, Agenda Item #19, and for information only discussion of Naming Rights in Sarkeys Fitness Center. No final action will be taken by this committee. There may be other Board members in attendance at this meeting in addition to the committee membership. All findings or conclusions of this committee are subject to the approval of the full Board of Regents. A copy of the agenda can be found at this link.