The Lawrence County School Board has upheld the termination of a former principal and current candidate for Lincoln County circuit clerk.

     Dr. Lenard King’s contract as principal of Rod Paige Middle School was not renewed on Feb. 24, 2011, by then-superintendent Tony Davis. King then requested a due process hearing before the Lawrence County School Board.

     The purpose of the hearing was to determine whether King’s termination was handled in a fair manner and to ensure no rights were violated, said Scott Bryan, school board president.

     The five-member board voted unanimously to uphold the termination on March 19, Bryan said. King was informed by letter about a week and a half later.

     The former principal is eyeing further action.

      “I plan to take them to court,” said King, claiming his termination violated state law and policies of the Lawrence County School District.

     King said he would formally file paperwork in a suit against the district this week, he said.

     King, a Bogue Chitto resident, is one of seven candidates seeking to win the office of Lincoln County circuit clerk in a November special election. Also in the race are Dustin Bairfield, Josh Davis, Janie Sisco, Mike Smith, Paula Thames Smith and Mike Walley.

     King acknowledged the termination may hurt his campaign. So far, the reception to his campaign has been weaker than expected, he said.

     “I thought I would get more support than I have financially,” King said.

     King admitted he’s had thoughts of ending his candidacy.

     “I’m considering dropping out, but I still have a lot of people that support me,” King said.

     For the foreseeable future, King said he plans to continue on as a candidate. His current campaign strategy is focused on the last leg of the race.

     “My plan was to pump it hard the last three months and see what happens,” King said.

     Testimony in the due process hearing took place last summer.

     Points of contention included complaints lodged against King by parents and teachers and expenses King allegedly authorized without permission.

     King claims he was never informed of any complaints against him by parents and teachers until after his termination. King also said Davis failed to set up an improvement plan with King.

     At the hearing, Davis testified he sent a letter to King stating behaviors King should refrain from, with no response.

     Davis is no longer superintendent. He lost his re-election bid to Tammy Fairburn last year.

     Bryan declined to comment on the specifics of the hearing but said he did not recall any specific allegations that district policies were violated.

     Davis also alleged that King authorized purchase orders totaling approximately $18,000 without permission, a charge King denies.

     King, who was the only black principal in Lawrence County, feels race may have played some factor in his firing.

     “I’m not saying it was discrimination, but I do think race was a factor,” King said. “I don’t think I can prove that, but from my own personal experience I’m confident it was.”

     King claims white teachers and parents complained about him in numbers disproportionate to their presence in his school’s district.

     King worked in the Lawrence County School District seven years, three of those as principal.