The case of former Natchez-Adams School Superintendent Dr. Willie Hoskin still rests in the hands of the court.

Hoskin, who is appealing a controversial school board decision not to renew his contract, is waiting for District 17 Chancery Court Judge Kennie Middleton to issue his ruling.

Hoskin’s attorney, Chet Nicholson of Gulfport, presented the case to Middleton last fall and filed the appeal in the summer of 1998.

The judge now has the case under advisement, Nicholson said.

There will not be a trial, but Middleton must decide if the school board followed correct procedures in the case.

&uot;I think they were wrong with some significant particulars,&uot; Nicholson said.

Jim Keith, the attorney representing the school board, does not think there is anyway to speculate on the case’s outcome.

&uot;There’s no way to tell,&uot;&160;Keith said. &uot;Obviously the judge heard both sides, he has to review the record and make his decision.&uot;

Hoskin left office June 30, 1998, after the school board voted 3-2 in January of that year not the renew his contract. The vote fell along racial lines.

Following a public hearing that spring on Hoskin’s behalf, the board did not change its ruling.

The second vote mirrored the January vote.

Board members Dr. David Steckler, Terry Estes and Don Marion voted against Hoskin while former board members Andi Quartey and Bobbie Ridley voted for him.

The board has since replaced Hoskin with Superintendent Dr. Carl Davis.

&uot;I think the board made the correct decision, and I think it’s for the betterment of the school district,&uot; Steckler said.

There is no deadline for Middleton to issue a ruling in the case.

If Middleton does not rule in Hoskin’s favor, Nicholson said they will appeal the case to the Mississippi Supreme Court.

Hoskin could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Hoskin began working for Natchez schools in the 1960s as a teacher. He later served as an administrator and worked for 10 years in the central office. He spent five years as superintendent.