Former Hancock County superintendent suing district for wrongful termination

A former Hancock County superintendent is suing the district for wrongful termination and is seeking damages.

A suit asking for damages was filed in Southern District Court on Wednesday.

Teresa Merwin was terminated on August 18, 2022 in a special called meeting of the school board, which did not give a reason for the dismissal. According to court documents, Merwin was told she was being terminated for “malfeasance” by violating the boards access to public records policy for failing to charge a fee for documents provided in response to requests for redistricting records.

Parents posting to social media were outraged by the move.

Merwin requested a post-termination hearing on August 23, which was denied the next day. According to court documents, the district offered a hearing four months after Merwin’s dismissal and after she found other employment as a principal in the Hattiesburg School District.

Rhett Ladner served as interim superintendent until he was made a permanent hire in December 2022.

Merwin is asking the court to have her reinstated as superintendent, prohibit the school district from alleging any grounds for termination, and to award damages, attorneys fees, court costs and other relief that the court deems proper.