(1) Each case shall be assigned a primary hearing date. A case has first priority for hearing on that date.

(2) Each case may be assigned a secondary hearing date. That date will precede the primary hearing date. A case has second priority for hearing on the secondary date, and will proceed to hearing only if the primary case does not proceed. The parties to a primary case shall inform the hearing coordinator for the board as soon as any settlement occurs. The parties to a secondary case may contact the hearing coordinator to learn whether or not the primary case will proceed. The parties to a secondary case may also contact directly the parties to a primary case to learn whether or not the primary case will proceed.