Video: Court Backs Lowndes County School District

[bitsontherun ARcIYy8z]

COLUMBUS, Ms (WCBI) A pair of court victories today for the Lowndes County school district involving a former baseball coach and the man who ironically is now superintendent. The Mississippi Court of Appeals has upheld the firing of former New Hope baseball coach Stacy Hester. Hester was dismissed for the improper purchase of a mower for the school baseball field. Hester filed suit, seeking his job back and back pay. Last year a Lowndes County Chancery Judge denied that request –a decision which todays  ruling upheld.

Things are a little more complicated in Wright’s case. The former New Hope Principal was also fired in connection with the mower purchase but in his case that same Lowndes County court ruled that firing was improper and awarded Wright $175,000 in back pay. Today the state court of appeals reversed that decision and said the firing of Wright, who has since been elected County Superintendent, was proper and he is not entitled the the $175,000 in back wages.