NATCHEZ — Circuit Court Judge Lillie Blackmon Sanders dismissed a former Natchez High School assistant principal’s lawsuit claiming she was wrongfully terminated.

Shannon Doughty filed a civil lawsuit this past year against the Natchez-Adams School District and then Superintendent Frederick Hill alleging wrongful termination based on speculation about test scores rather than facts.

In February 2014, then NHS principal Fred Butcher recommended Doughty’s reappointment to the position, but in April Hill and the human resources director reportedly told Doughty she would not be renewed as an assistant principal. The prediction of a failing grade on the accountability tests was allegedly the reason given for the non-renewal.

The results came back in October 2014 and the district had improved to a passing grade of “D.”

Counsel for the school district argued Doughty did not meet the requirements of the state’s education employment procedures before filing her complaint, nor did she exhaust available administrative remedies within the district.

Doughty chose to leave when offered a teaching position within the district and did not seek an appeal with the school board, counsel argued.

Sanders was only considering if Doughty could sue in circuit court, not the specifics surrounding her dismissal.

The judge dismissed the claims based on a lack of subject matter jurisdiction and ordered each party to bear its own legal costs.

William Ivison of Adcock and Morrison, who represented Doughty, said he had no comment on the decision or what the next steps were.

Doughty’s case is nearly identical to a claim made by former Natchez High School assistant principal Regina McCoy, whose lawsuit against the district and Hill are being heard by Judge Forest “Al” Johnson.

Johnson, also only considering if it was legal for McCoy to sue in circuit court, took the case under advisement in March and has yet to make a decision.

These lawsuits were preceded by a federal lawsuit by former Susie B. West Elementary School principal Cindy Idom. Along with wrongful termination, she successfully argued her white race was a factor in her forced retirement from the district.

Idom was ultimately awarded $668,000 in pack pay, damages and legal fees, but settled with the district for $625,000.

The McCoy and Doughty cases do not claim a racial component.