A Chancery Court Judge has ruled to dismiss a lawsuit filed against the Columbus Municipal School District by former superintendent Dr. Martha Liddell.
Judge Kenneth Burns ruled to dismiss the case Friday after a telephone conference between the judge and the lawyers of both parties. According to documents filed with the Lowndes County Chancery Court, Burns moved to dismiss the lawsuit, in part, because the district has not yet held Liddell’s termination hearing.
Liddell filed a lawsuit suing for reinstatement as superintendent after she was fired in a 3-2 vote by the board of trustees on June 17 after a four-and-a-half hour executive session.
Liddell filed a lawsuit against the district on June 21, seeking reinstatement to her former position as superintendent.
On May 30, The Dispatch reported that Liddell used CMSD funds to pay for a private party for her family, friends and business acquaintances held at the Trotter Convention Center on Dec. 23, 2012.
The party cost the district $447.51. Liddell reimbursed the district using personal checks in the amount of $150 (dated Jan. 30, 2013) and $188.23 (dated May 30, 2013).
The district made a motion on July 9 to have the case dismissed. The hearing was scheduled for July 16.
Liddell’s termination with the district has not yet been scheduled.
Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.
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