Hickman Out As Columbus Superintendent

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The tumultuous tenure of Columbus Schools Superintendent Philip Hickman is over.

HICKMAN

The Columbus School Board Friday morning voted to terminate Hickman’s contract effective immediately.

The move ends a strained relationship between the board and Hickman which has soured over the past months.

During a January meeting called to review Hickman’s performance, Hickman lashed out at Board President Jason Spears publicly accusing him of trying to undercut Hickman’s authority and creating a hostile work environment.

Today’s vote ends a term marked by controversy.

The board was currently looking into some financial payments made by Hickman to a California company whose purpose is to clean up and monitor online reputations and comments.

In the past Hickman was questioned about hiring family members and about some controversial personal relationships.

Deputy Superintendent Craig Shannon has been appointed as the interim school leader.