By Emily lane

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Seven months after their initial vote was cast, the Natchez-Adams School Board voted Aug. 12 to stick to their guns and release former superintendent Anthony Morris from his contract.

The unanimous decision came from a motion made by school board member Thelma Newsome in a closed session at the board’s recent meeting. Board members David Troutman, Dr. Benny Wright and board president Wayne Barnett voted in support of the motion.

Board member Dale Steckler — the only board member who originally voted against Morris’ non-renewal — did not attend the Aug. 12 meeting.

The board initially voted Jan. 20 not to renew Morris’ contract, which expired June 30.

The status of Morris’ contract, however, hung on the conclusion of a hearing to determine if Morris was rightfully terminated.

Morris and his attorney Preston Rideout made closing statements to the board at the board’s Aug. 12 meeting in a closed session prior to the board’s vote.

The board could not release the decision until its official executive session minutes were published, Board Attorney Bruce Kuehnle said. However, draft minutes from the Aug. 12 executive session were e-mailed to The Democrat Wednesday in response to a written request seeking them prior to the standard public release 30 days after the vote was taken.

Official minutes become public record after 30 days, but the Freedom of Information Act specifies that “draft minutes” are to be considered public immediately upon request.

Since Morris requested the hearing be closed to the public, the board’s reasons for its decision remain a closed personnel matter.

The purpose of the hearing, which lasted six days and spanned four months, was to determine if the non-renewal of Morris’ contract was “based upon a valid educational reason or noncompliance with school district personnel policies,” a statute on the hearing procedure says.

Kuehnle said it is the right of Morris, like any licensed employee of the state, to request a hearing urging reconsideration of the termination of his contract.

Had the board voted in favor of Morris, he would have been reappointed to his job for one year, at which point his contract would be up for renewal again.

According to state law, Morris personally funded legal expenses for the hearing and the school board used district funds to represent the board.

Morris also has the right to appeal the board’s decision to uphold its previous decision to the chancery court, Kuehnle said.

A judge would then make a ruling based on the hearing transcripts.

If the judge ruled in favor of Morris, the judge would order the superintendent’s contract to be renewed for one year.

Kuehnle said if Morris returns to his job as superintendent based on the hearing’s outcome and the board voted not to renew his contract next year, it is possible for the process to repeat.

The board appointed Joyce Johnson to serve as interim superintendent for six months starting July 1.

Morris did not return messages Wednesday.