(1) The impartial hearing officer may informally confer with the parties to the request for impartial due process hearing for the purpose of attempting informal disposition of any special education controversy.

(2) This conference of informal disposition may occur at any time prior to the issuing of the final findings of fact, conclusions of law and order of the impartial hearing officer. The parties may informally confer to resolve the special education controversy by stipulation, agreed settlement, consent order, or default. To be effective, any agreement made at such conference must be reduced to writing and signed by all parties. An agreed resolution shall end the proceedings upon formal action of the hearing officer unless a party to the hearing appeals the decision under ARM 10.16.3523.