Jim Hanks, an attorney with the Ahlers & Cooney P.C. law firm that represents the school district, said Hiser had tenure so the board couldn’t fire him without an appeal process. The board said it acted against Hiser after an investigation uncovered evidence of fraud, policy violations and a cover-up of misdeeds. In its reasons for termination, the school board accused him of submitting fraudulent expense requests, knowingly giving inaccurate information in a board investigation, violating district policy by engaging in unapproved outside employment, and misusing district time and property for personal gain.

According to a statement issued Monday by Hanks, Hiser withdrew his hearing request because of ongoing medical problems. The letter said the withdrawal shouldn’t be interpreted “as agreement with the allegations made against him.”