NATCHEZ — Former Natchez-Adams School District Superintendent Frederick Hill’s attorney spent Tuesday trying to discredit two school board members and the board’s attorney bringing racial matters into the discussion as well.

The discussion was the first day of Hill’s post-termination hearing.

Hill was terminated in April based on a federal jury’s decision in January that he violated the civil rights of former district principal Cindy Idom.

Defense attorney Lisa Ross of Jackson questioned board members Amos James Jr. and Cynthia Smith and board attorney Bruce Kuehnle.

Ross spent much of the time with James trying to determine what the basis was for firing Hill on the grounds of racial discrimination, as she said the jury found the district liable for that claim, not Hill.

James said he did not personally attend the trial and based his decision in the 3-0 vote to fire Hill based on correspondence from Kuehnle. James said Hill had done a good job otherwise.

“So you just went with whatever the white man said, even if it is not true?” Ross asked James about Kuehnle.

“I went with what was on this paper,” James said.

While speaking to James, Ross also attempted to bring up Vidalia resident Sue Easterling, who Ross said had filed a complaint of racial discrimination against Fred Butcher, who was hired by the district as interim superintendent when Hill was fired. However, Hearing Officer Nathaniel Armistad of Brookhaven sustained NASD Laurel-based attorney Terry Caves’s objection.

“That’s a fair question,” Ross said. “If this board was so offended by a judgment returned against the district for racial discrimination, how could they turn around and place a superintendent in position when there are claims he engaged in discrimination.”

Ross later attempted to call Easterling to the stand, but Easterling was not able to answer any questions due to objections from Caves on the grounds her testimony was not relevant to Hill’s termination.

Kuehnle said through Hill’s actions against Idom, the district was found liable for racial discrimination. When asked, Keuhnle could not say what Hill did to discriminate against Idom.

And Kuehnle said he took Ross’ word for it that the jury only found the district liable for racial discrimination. Hill was found guilty for causing emotional distress, Ross said, but not racial discrimination. Ross further said Hill could not be found liable for a racial discrimination verdict under title 7.

During cross-examination, Caves brought up U.S. District Court Judge David Bramlette’s opinion. Bramlette wrote the testimony and evidence showed Idom was a victim of harassment, belittlement, discrimination, intimidation and being in a racially hostile work environment.

With Smith on the witness stand, Ross spent much of the time arguing that Smith had a grudge against Hill because he was responsible for the non-renewal of her daughter’s contract as assistant principal at Natchez High School. Smith’s daughter is Shannon Doughty, who also unsuccessfully sued the district for wrongful termination.

Ross also suggested Smith had spread lies about Hill at an Adams County Board of Supervisors meeting.

“It is relevant because it was a 3-0 vote, two members were not even present,” Ross said. “If one board member held a bias against Dr. Hill, that board member should not have participated in the vote.”

Smith, however, when asked, said she did not hold any grudges against Hill for the non-renewal of her daughter and she argued her points made against Hill were true with the exception of one claim.

Smith said she misrepresented one claim that Hill hired a man without an education degree to lead the GED department. Rather that man was hired to lead the drop out prevention and worked closely with the person leading the district’s GED office, Smith said.

Ultimately, Smith said none of her disagreements with Hill on policy in the district led to her termination vote, only the Idom case.

Armistad recessed the meeting until 10:30 a.m. July 7, when Caves will get a chance to cross examine Smith. Ross will also call more witnesses, including former school board member Tim Blalock.

When the hearing is complete, the Natchez-Adams School District Board of Trustees will receive the transcript and will decide to vote in Hill’s favor or not. Ross said the defense has not decided what resolution they might request, be it reinstatement or back pay.

Thelma Newsome was not present at the hearing, but all other trustees were.