Two students who were out of the classroom when the group left were left behind at the school, Long said.

Teachers are required to obtain signed parental-guardian permission before transporting children off campus, and “she acknowledged that she didn’t do so,” Long said of Cagle.

“In the end, the board was concerned that parents, grandparents, guardians send their kids to school every day with an expectation that they will receive education benefit during every course that they attend and that … rules regarding get-permission-first will be honored,” Long said. “Also, no parent or grandparent or guardian should ever expect that any teacher, particularly not an experienced teacher, will take their children off campus in the trunk of a personal vehicle.”

Cagle had an estimated 50 supporters at the hearing, said her attorney, Richard O’Carroll.

“Good teachers will let students do things like this to let students let off steam,” he said. “It was such a cowardly decision (by the school).

“… There is no question she is an exceptional teacher. In my opinion, she will land on her feet, and it’s going to be Catoosa’s loss.”

Rhett Morgan 918-581-8395 rhett.morgan@tulsaworld.com

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