Video: School Board, Hickman Respond To Controversial Texts

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — Columbus Schools Superintendent Dr. Philip Hickman and the Columbus School Board both issued statements about the alleged text messages that contained nude and suggestive content.

Hickman said, “In the past week, someone unknown to me has been seeking to damage my reputation by attacking me through fabricated text messages that have been sent to the media and others in our city. I stated last week and say it here again, that the messages are fake.  I was not part of any of those messages and the intent of those distributing this information is only to hurt our school district and me a superintendent.”

“Every day I have to make difficult decisions that impact many people. With hundreds of employees and thousands of students, as the leader of the school district, I am a big target for those that seek to hurt others through their actions.”

I will not be deterred in my work by actions of some anonymous persons that seek to cause this terrible injury.  I am proud of our teachers and our staff. I am proud of our students. We have a lot more work to do but we will continue to forge ahead with this most-important primary task of educating the students entrusted to us each day.”

The Columbus School Board released a statement saying, “The Columbus Municipal School Board is responsible for the education of over 4,000 students each day.  We take this responsibility seriously and entrust the daily responsibilities of educating our students to the superintendent and his staff. This Board remains committed to providing quality, safe, and equitable educational opportunities for each of our students within CMSD.”

The school board meeting Monday did not pass an agenda, meaning no action or executive session took place on any matter.

The School Board will meet at 7:30 A.M. Tuesday morning.

WCBI has submit a public records request for the work cell phone, including texts and downloaded apps, and email records for Dr. Hickman from October to November of 2015.  This also includes travel schedules and receipts.