A. A career teacher, as described in Section 1419 of Title 10 of the Oklahoma Statutes, or any administrative personnel other than a superintendent who has been dismissed or whose contract has not been renewed shall be entitled to a trial de novo in the district court of the county in which the school is located.

B. In the event that a career teacher is dismissed or the teacher’s contract is not renewed, the Director of the State Department of Rehabilitation Services shall notify the teacher of the right to trial de novo within ten (10) days of receipt of the final order of the Director.

C. Within ten (10) days of receipt of the notification of the right to a trial de novo, the career teacher may file a petition for a trial de novo.

Upon filing the petition, the court clerk shall issue a summons and cause service by mail to be made upon the State Department of Rehabilitation Services by certified mail, restricted delivery with return receipt requested, or substitute process as provided by law.

D. If, within the ten-day period, the career teacher fails to file a petition for a trial de novo concerning the dismissal or nonreemployment, the teacher shall be deemed to have waived the right to trial de novo and the decision of the Director to dismiss or not to renew the contract shall be final.

E. The Department shall serve its answer within twenty (20) days of the service of summons and petition upon it. The trial de novo shall be scheduled at the earliest possible date which will permit both parties adequate time to prepare for a just trial of the issues involved; provided, however, said trial de novo shall be scheduled and held not less than ten (10) days and no later than thirty (30) days after the answer has been filed.

F. Except as otherwise provided specifically in this section, the law generally applicable to civil suits filed in district court shall apply to the proceedings for trial de novo under this section. At the trial de novo the standard of proof shall be by the preponderance of the evidence and the burden of proof shall be on the State Department of Rehabilitation Services to establish de novo that the career teacher’s dismissal or nonreemployment is warranted. The trial de novo shall proceed as a nonjury trial before the court. The court shall determine de novo all issues of fact and law necessary for full adjudication of the dispute at the trial. The court shall not, by applying principles of collateral estoppel or res adjudicata or otherwise, give preclusive effect to findings of fact of determinations of the Director with regard to the issue necessary to determine the adequacy of the dismissal or nonreemployment of the career teacher in the trial de novo. Within three (3) days following the conclusion of the trial de novo, the judge shall prepare written findings of fact and conclusions of law and shall enter judgment directing either of the following:

1. That the State Department of Rehabilitation Services reinstate the career teacher with full employment status and benefits; or

2. That the decision of the State Department of Rehabilitation Services for the dismissal or nonreemployment of the career teacher be sustained.

G. The time limits set forth in this section for the proceedings before the district court may be extended by mutual agreement of the parties with the approval of the district court.

H. The decision of the district court shall be final and binding upon the career teacher and the State Department of Rehabilitation Services unless the teacher or the Department appeals the decision of the district court in the manner provided by law for the appeal of civil cases from the district court.

I. This section shall not apply to the following:

1. Superintendents;

2. Instructional personnel serving under a temporary contract or as a substitute teacher as defined in Section 6-105 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes; and

3. Probationary teachers.

Added by Laws 2001, c. 93, § 2, eff. July 1, 2003.