Former Mississippi teacher wins appeal after firing over book reading

Toby Price's termination for reading 'I Need a New Butt!' to second graders overturned by appeals court

Published on Feb. 1, 2026

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The Mississippi Court of Appeals has overturned the firing of former Gary Road Elementary School assistant principal Toby Price, who was terminated in 2022 for reading the children's book 'I Need a New Butt!' to a group of second graders during Read Across America Day. The appeals court found the school district had no substantive reason to terminate Price, noting there were no parent or student complaints and that the school library contained books with similar or worse content.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing debates around censorship, parental rights, and school district decision-making when it comes to the books and materials used in classrooms. The appeals court's ruling raises questions about the consistency and transparency of the Hinds County School District's policies regarding appropriate content for students.

The details

In March 2022, Toby Price was fired from his position as assistant principal at Gary Road Elementary School for reading the children's book 'I Need a New Butt!' to a group of second graders during Read Across America Day. The Hinds County School District cited the book's content as the reason for his termination. However, the Mississippi Court of Appeals found the district had no substantive reason to fire Price, noting there were no parent or student complaints on file and that the school library contained books with similar or worse content.

  • Price was fired from his position in March 2022.
  • The Mississippi Court of Appeals overturned Price's firing on January 27, 2026.
  • Oral arguments before the Mississippi Court of Appeals were heard in September 2025.
  • A Chancery Court decision in 2024 had previously upheld Price's firing.

The players

Toby Price

A former assistant principal at Gary Road Elementary School in Mississippi who was fired in 2022 for reading the children's book 'I Need a New Butt!' to a group of second graders.

Hinds County School District

The school district that fired Toby Price in 2022 for reading the children's book 'I Need a New Butt!' to a group of second graders.

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What they’re saying

“I didn't believe it at first, because I sat at the computer like some kind of nerd each week, reloading the pages to see if there's a decision, reload, reload, reload. And then one morning I got on and reload, and there was something there. My wife had texted me and I said, 'I think we won.' And she called me on the phone and she was crying.”

— Toby Price, Former assistant principal (3 On Your Side)

“They went through the book itself, they were able to see that there are so many other books in the library that have similar content and or worse content in some cases that are apparently okay. And it was very inconsistent.”

— Toby Price, Former assistant principal (3 On Your Side)

“I've been checking you and your family out at this door for years, since they were babies. And there are a lot of things I could call you. But that ain't it.”

— Checkout clerk (3 On Your Side)

What’s next

A Chancery Court hearing is expected to occur within approximately 30 days to finalize the settlement package for Toby Price's reinstatement and back pay.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions around censorship, parental rights, and the appropriate use of books and materials in schools. The appeals court's ruling suggests the Hinds County School District may have acted inconsistently and without sufficient justification in terminating Toby Price, raising broader questions about transparency and decision-making in public education.