Case Explained: Todd McDaniel Plaintiff— v. Hazlehurst City School District Defendant—

Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Filed: 2026-06-15 The Fifth Circuit affirmed the district court’s judgment in favor of Todd McDaniel, holding that the Hazlehurst City School District violated his procedural due process rights by failing to provide written notice and a hearing prior to non-renewing his employment contract. The court applied Mississippi Code Ann. §§ 37–9–103(1), 105, and 109(b), which mandate that school districts must offer these protections to employees whose positions require a valid state-issued license as a prerequisite of employment. The court determined that McDaniel’s position as Director of Operations required such a license based on the unambiguous language of his 2017–18 contract, which was executed on a form designated for “assistant superintendent, principal[, or] licensed employee,” and because he was compensated according to the administrator salary scale. The court rejected the school district’s argument that the contract was invalid because it was not fully recorded in the minutes of a school board meeting, ruling under Mississippi law that a public board contract is valid if the minutes contain sufficient terms to determine the parties’ liabilities and obligations without resorting to other evidence. Since the minutes adequately identified McDaniel’s title and salary, a valid contract existed that entitled him to statutory procedural protections. As a practical consequence, the district court’s award of lost wages, back pay, emotional distress damages, and attorneys’ fees stands. McDaniel is recognized as the prevailing party entitled to these damages, and all pending motions are denied. Do It For The Case Law is a news reporting service. Nothing in this episode constitutes legal advice.