Former Broken Arrow School Superintendent Drops BA Business From Lawsuit

Emory Bryan, News On 6 and NewsOn6.com

BROKEN ARROW, Oklahoma -- Former Broken Arrow Superintendent Jim Sisney has dropped a lawsuit in a 2-year legal battle against Broken Arrow heating and cooling company Air Assurance.

Sisney dropped claims against the company and its owner, Mike Rampey on Thursday.

Sisney filed a lawsuit in Tulsa County District Court against the company in September 2008, claiming he discovered the Broken Arrow school district wasn't following competitive bidding laws and Air Assurance was getting preferential treatment.

9/3/2008 Related story: Superintendent Files Defamation Suit

1/22/2009 Related story: Air Assurance Owner Disputes Allegations

Air Assurance and Mike Rampey denied the allegation and still does. In a released statement the company thanked those who supported them:

Our company has always been about integrity and we have stood by our work and our principles. Our customers, family, friends, team members and this city have stood by us and we can't thank them enough for their support.

Sisney says raising the issue cost him his job and he sued the company along with Broken Arrow Public Schools and three school board members.

The lawsuits against the school district and the three school board members are still active. Meanwhile, the office of State Auditor Steve Burrage continues work on an investigative audit of the district.

The auditors office said Friday it's wrapping up the field work portion of the audit, which has yet to be drafted.

It's not clear why Sisney dropped the case.