The Appeal of Former CMSD Superintendent, Philip Hickman Continues

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Two days in and still no decision has been made for the appeal of Dr. Philip Hickman’s firing as Superintendent of Columbus School District.

The final witnesses went fairly quickly.

Former Board President, Angela Verdell, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent, Gwendolyn Brooks, and for the second time Current Board President, Jason Spears all took and left the stand before 11 o’clock.

Then we get to Dr. Hickman.

It took some time, about three hours, of examination and cross examination from the two attorneys.

Hickman said he felt he had been bullied and harassed by the school board during the last four years of his career with Columbus Schools and that his actions did not justify his firing.

“I received a letter that I’m terminated. I mean, this is… You know, I don’t understand how me just saying ‘Hey, guys I want to work with you. I just need these things to stop so that we can move the district forward. I didn’t understand how that could result in termination,” said Hickman.

Columbus School’s rebuttal was still going on when we left the School District building.

No word yet when a decision will be made on whether or not this case holds enough water to go to court.