Board members took the case into U.S. District Courts in the Western and Eastern Oklahoma districts. After brief stays in the federal system, the board twice sought intervention from the Oklahoma Supreme Court, but was never successful in having Buck's case dismissed. The appeals court more recently cleared the way for a due process hearing on a new effort by the board to terminate Buck's 1998-99 contract. That ruling allowed Holt to take part in a due process hearing, reversing a ruling by District Judge John Scaggs that disqualified Holt on grounds that the board member was prejudiced against Buck. According to those associated with the matter, the settlement is now contingent on a finding by Hulme, Rahhal and Henderson, an Ardmore accounting firm, that the school district has sufficient funds to pay its share of the agreement.
Provisions also call for the school district insurance carrier to contribute to the settlement.
As a final note, the agreement must be approved by Scaggs.