NATCHEZ — A simple quorum of the Natchez-Adams School District’s board of trustees has voted to fire Superintendent Frederick Hill.

The vote, take after approximately an hour and 15 minutes of executive session Tuesday morning, was passed 3-0. Two board members — Thelma Newsome and Benny Wright — were not present.

When offering the motion to terminate Hill’s contract, board member Philip West said the basis was “based on the September court case of being found in violation of civil rights laws” and a violation of “standard 5 of the Mississippi Code of Ethics.”

The case West cited, in which former NASD Principal Cindy Idom successfully argued to a federal jury that her forced retirement from the district was in part due to her white race, resulted in a $668,000 judgement against the district, Hill and Assistant Superintendent Tanisha Smith.

Standard 5 of the Mississippi Educator’s Code of Ethics includes a provision against “Discriminating against or coercing a colleague on the basis of race, religion, national origin, age, sex, disability or family status.”

During the meeting, the board also voted to appoint former Natchez High School Principal Fred Butcher as the interim superintendent for the district, and to hire legal representation should Hill appeal the decision.

Board President Amos James said Butcher should start as interim by the end of the week or the beginning of next week.

James said Smith was not discussed at Tuesday’s meeting.

Hill was not present at the meeting.

A full statement from the board is expected later today.