NATCHEZ — In a procedural move that would surprise no one familiar with the matter, the Natchez-Adams School Board voted Tuesday to uphold its 2016 termination of former superintendent Frederick Hill.

Following three post-termination hearings, which Hill requested, the board voted 3-0 to uphold the termination, with board secretary Thelma Newsome absent and board member Brenda Marie Robinson abstaining.

Robinson was appointed to the board in November, following the three post-termination hearings, which were on June 28, July 7 and Sept. 23.

School board member Phillip West, in his first meeting in March 2016, moved for the termination of Hill, but his motion did not receive a second. In his second regularly scheduled meeting, with Newsome and then board member Benny Wright absent, the same board members — Amos James, Cynthia Smith and West — voted 3-0 to terminate Hill’s contract.

“We feel we have done what is in the best interest of the students and the taxpayers of Natchez-Adams County,” West said Tuesday.

Hill was fired after a federal jury sided with former West Elementary School Principal Cindy Idom. She sued the district, Hill and a former assistant superintendent for creating a racially hostile work environment.

The court granted a $668,000 judgment in September 2015. Idom’s attorneys and the district ultimately settled for $625,000 in April.

During the hearings, Hill’s attorney, Lisa Ross of Jackson, presented arguments that Hill was only found liable for causing emotional distress, that only the district was found liable of racial discrimination. She said under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1965, she believed Hill could not be found liable for racial discrimination.

Ross also argued West came onto the board with an agenda against Hill and that Smith, whose daughter had been non-renewed as an assistant principal in the district while Hill was superintendent, had a grudge against Hill.

Ross argued a board member with a personal grudge against Hill should not have been allowed to vote.

NASD attorney, Laurel-based Terry Caves, argued in the hearing by bringing up the opinion of U.S. District Court Judge David Bramlette. Bramlette wrote the testimony and evidence showed Idom was a victim of harassment, belittlement, discrimination, intimidation and being in a racially hostile work environment.

Hill may appeal Tuesday’s school board decision in chancery court.