Ben is (as always) right. Only a couple regulars here have any construction experience. I have none - be warned. I'm only posting because I think you're right. The bond beam may be thermally coupled to the "coping section" of the deck. Especially in a generally warm area like "north of Tulsa". What you propose makes sense to me (not a pool pro of any stripe). Cleaving the thermally and mechanically bonded section of the deck from the "disconnected" section sounds reasonable. Just my two cents.