The third day of the due process hearing for Andrew Hickmanbegan at 8 a.m. Thursday with no word on a targeted finishingtime.

The Brookhaven High School athletic director and head footballcoach has been having his “day in court” since Tuesday morning whenhe first had the opportunity to tell his side of the story to ahearing officer from Long Beach.

Hickman asked for the due process hearing after his contract wasnot renewed for the 2002-2003 school year.

Hickman and the hearing officer, Pam Wescovich, were joined thisweek in the closed hearing in Brookhaven School District’sconference room by Hickman’s attorney, Steve Carmody,Superintendent Dr. Sam Bounds, board attorney Bob Allen and a courtreporter.

They remained alone in the room until Wednesday’s session, whichlasted until 5 p.m. Some district officials were seen going in andout of the room Wednesday, although it was not known what role theywere playing in the hearing.

Through testimony and documentation, Wescovich is listening toboth sides’ versions of the events surrounding Hickman’snon-renewal, which was recommended by Bounds and approved by theboard.

After Wescovich listens to the stories, she will compile asynopsis that will be presented to the school board along with acopy of the hearing’s minutes.