NATCHEZ— At least one community leader said Thursday he hoped to distribute a petition soon to remove key Natchez-Adams School District officials — including the superintendent and school board members.

The Rev. Clifton Marvel, who is president of the Natchez National Association for the Advancement of Colored People but said he was speaking as a private citizen, said a closed-door meeting Wednesday was a call to action and the culmination of multiple events that have occurred in the district.

“We’ve been seeing the work of the superintendent and his hatcheting of school employees, many of them who are good friends of ours,” Marvel said. “And those who are left are frustrated and left worried about whether they are going to get a pink slip or not.

“The last two years, we’ve seen and heard the teachers express their dissatisfaction to us and now something needs to be done.”

The meeting, which was at New Hope The Vision Center, was sparked by Monday’s arrest of 17 Natchez High students for participating in a fight and the subsequent resignation of the school’s principal.

NHS Principal Fred Butcher turned in his resignation Tuesday and said his last day would be Friday, but declined to discuss specific details.

NASD Superintendent Frederick Hill also declined to discuss details of Butcher’s resignation, and did not return phone messages Thursday seeking comment on who would take over as principal of the school.

“There are some concerned teachers along with students and citizens who were disgruntled with the way Dr. Hill and the school board is conducting business,” Marvel said. “It’s our job as a community to show support for them.”

On behalf of the NAACP, Marvel has addressed the Natchez-Adams School District Board of Trustees and the Natchez Board of Aldermen to express frustrations with the hiring and firing processes of the district.

At the school board’s meeting earlier this month, Marvel stood and read a letter stating he and other community members were disappointed with district officials and the school board.

Marvel read a similar letter at the city’s Board of Aldermen meeting earlier this week.

“The next step I see is getting up a petition to show general community support,” Marvel said. “I think, personally, it would be calling for the removal of some folks — the superintendent and the school board.”

NASD Board of Trustees President Tim Blalock said he wasn’t sure what the legalities were regarding a petition to remove any school board member or the superintendent.

“When it comes down to it, the school board is appointed by the county and the city, but I don’t think we’re bound by any kind of petition,” Blalock said. “It obviously calls something to attention.”

Blalock said he would stand behind Hill as long as the superintendent was following the policies and procedures set in place and approved by the board.

“If people don’t like a certain policy or procedure we have they can let us know, but that’s why we have them in place,” Blalock said. “If the guy is doing what we tell him to do and following those procedures and policies, that’s great.”

Blalock said he believed the ill feelings toward Hill regarding the hiring and firing of employees is something that comes with some of the changes being made to try to improve the district.

“Anytime you try to change something, there’s going to be some kickback,” Blalock said. “As long as I know I’m doing what’s right for the children, that’s what’s important.”