LIBERTY &045;&045; After fighting his dismissal for more than a year, Charlie Floyd has won back his job as principal of Amite County High School.

In a 26-page ruling issued Tuesday, Amite County Chancellor Hollis McGehee reinstated Floyd and ordered the Amite County School District to pay $19,411 in attorney fees. Floyd was suspended and later dismissed last fall amid an investigation of alleged irregularities at ACHS, including unexplained changes to student grades and unauthorized fines for student tobacco use.

In a four-day dismissal appeal hearing in April, then-acting Superintendent Mary Russ testified that she needed Floyd removed so that she could access the student records and conduct an investigation.

But no evidence was produced that Floyd changed any grades or pressured others to do so. Witnesses also testified that Floyd inherited the school’s tobacco policy when he was appointed principal in 2000.

Nonetheless, the school board in July voted unanimously to uphold Floyd’s dismissal. McGehee said Russ’ reasoning for initiating Floyd’s removal was &uot;without credibility&uot; and said the board failed to properly consider the testimony of witnesses who &uot;…were in a better position to know what had gone on and why.&uot;

While there were problems at ACHS that needed correcting &045;&045; state investigators documented an array of deficiencies during an audit at the school last year &045;&045; McGehee said Floyd had done nothing to warrant a dismissal. &uot;Coach Floyd is a long time employee of the district who had a positive impact … his services there are sorely needed and much missed,&uot; McGehee said.

A renowned track coach, Floyd also serves on the Wilkinson County School Board. Floyd referred questions to his attorney, Gregg Spyridon, who could not be reached for comment Thursday.

It was not clear if the school district, intends to appeal the judge’s ruling.

Calls to Keith’s office Thursday were not returned.