ADVERSE EMPLOYMENT ACTIONS AND PUBLIC SCHOOL ...

The first incident occurred in a classroom where a fire broke out. The fire was not
extensive and quickly contained. No injuries were incurred. The next incident arose when the
teacher whose room had caught fire and the State Department members were walking across
campus. The teacher and State Department members were shot with either a pellet or BB gun.
They could not determine where the shots originated. The final incident occurred at the Black
History Month program, a fight broke out among students. At the conclusion of the school day,
Simpson left on personal leave to be with his brother in Kentucky during a surgical procedure.
Each of the identified incidents was not reported to the district superintendent until the following
week nor were the proper authorities contacted (police, etc.).
On March 2, Simpson spoke with Holmes County Superintendent, Stephen Bailey, about
the incidents for the first time. On March 3, Simpson was terminated from his contract for failure
to maintain order; ensure safety for faculty, staff, and students; maintain instructional integrity;
and failure to comply with board policy and law that requires the expeditious reporting of
incidents of this nature. Simpson was provided a hearing with a hearing officer on April 19. The
District determined that that Simpson’s termination was proper and not adversarial. Simpson
appealed to the Chancery Court where it affirmed the district’s determination. This appeal
followed.
Issues: (1) Was there substantial evidence to warrant Simpson’s termination? (2) Did the
district violate Simpson’s constitutional right to due process?
Holding: The court held that the district presented sufficient evidence to support
Simpson’s termination and that all measures of due process were met.
Reasoning: The court reasoned, like the district, that there was sufficient evidence in
regard to each incident to establish that Simpson’s termination was warranted. As to the fire,
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