Who conducts the prehearing conference?

• A. The hearing officer
• B. The district attorney
• C. The school board
• D. The mediator

Answer: (A)

A prehearing conference in a due process setting is a procedural meeting where issues are clarified, evidence and witnesses are planned, and a schedule for the hearing is set. This conference is guided by the impartial hearing officer assigned to the case, who oversees the process to ensure both sides understand what will be disputed and what materials will be exchanged. The hearing officer’s role is to manage the hearing efficiently and fairly, narrowing the issues and ruling on procedural matters as needed.

The other roles don’t fit because the district attorney is not involved in educational due process hearings, the school board does not conduct these conferences, and mediation is about settlement between parties rather than running the official prehearing process.