Columbus Municipal School District Chief Financial Officer Kenneth Hughes has been fired.

CMSD Superintendent Dr. Martha Liddell declined to comment on Hughes’ firing when contacted Friday, citing the termination as a personnel matter.

The Dispatch learned of Hughes’ firing from an exchange of emails between board member Angela Verdell, sent to numerous other CMSD employees, and Liddell.

Verdell sent a email to Liddell and upper CMSD office staff inquiring into rumors about Hughes’ status. In the email, Verdell also questioned the results of a meeting that took place between Liddell, Board attorney David Dunn, Hughes and Hughes’ attorney several weeks ago.

Liddell reportedly responded to the email informing members of the school board that Hughes had been terminated. She did not elaborate on the decision to fire Hughes nor did she address the outcome of her meeting with Dunn, Hughes and Hughes’ attorney.

According to sources within the district, the locks on Hughes’ office were changed on Thursday morning. He was out of town at the time.

Since Hughes is an at-will employee, he and any employee of the district can be fired without explanation. However, the matter will appear before the board during the May meeting.

Hughes has been employed with CMSD for 18 years. As of February 2012, he made $84,942 annually. He could not be reached for comment.

Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.