SALT LAKE CITY — Claiming the process is rushed and deprives her of due process rights, embattled Utah Board of Education member Natalie Cline refused to participate in a hearing to discuss possible discipline for actions that targeted a student-athlete.
WATCH: Parents speak out after Cline targets daughter
School Board officials are holding a private meeting Wednesday to discuss how to move forward with Cline, who caused an uproar last week over comments she made on Facebook that falsely targeted a girl's basketball player for being transgender.
In a letter to the board announcing she will not attend the hearing, Cline said due process is "important" because it is considering taking away her right to speak at future meetings, which she says they cannot do as it would take "away the voice and vote of voters in District 9."
Cline went on to say that the process is being "rushed" and that there was "no way" she could review documents that were given to her at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
She added that the burden is on the board, not her, to show that there is no election interference underway, believing that any discipline handed down to her would favor her opponent in an upcoming election.
"Your actions today will be seen as the Board endorsing my primary opponent and the culmination of three years of efforts by the Board to try and remove me and silence the voices of voters I represent," she claimed. "It is inappropriate for government bodies to take sides in an election."
Cline's latest comments come after she first said she would "participate in the process and defend [herself.]"
"Hardened criminals get better due process than I am being provided," she wrote Wednesday morning. "Is a decision by the Board legitimate if you don't provide the accused with proper due process rights?"
The oft-controversial board member then posted several links which she claims back up her opinions on the process.
The Utah State Board of Education sent an agenda for the meeting to FOX 13 News, which will be held Wednesday from 3-4:30 p.m.
Only two actions were listed on the agenda for Wednesday's private meeting. An "Executive Session" action for the majority of the meeting and a "Character and Professional Competence" action for the remainder of the private session.
Officials added that though the meeting is closed to the public, any vote the board holds on potential action would be done publicly.
Following Cline's controversial post, which she later removed and apologized for, fellow board members condemned her actions.
"Her words and actions are putting people at harm, our students at harm," said board member Sarah Reale.
Although the board does not have the power to remove Cline from her position, she can face discipline ranging from censure to or other measures, including removing her from committee assignments, prohibiting her from attending board advisory committee meetings, and prohibiting her from placing an item on an agenda.
Officials across Utah have called for Cline to resign, issuing resolutions condemning her actions, while lawmakers in the state legislature are discussing the possibility of impeaching Cline.
In addition, all members of the House Majority Leadership met with Cline. Details about what they discussed have not been disclosed at this time.
