MARIETTA - A Cobb Superior Court judge on Friday upheld the Cobb school board's decision to fire former principal Dr. Lawrence Bynum for "willful neglect of duties."

"You win some and you lose some. We lost this one," said Bynum's attorney, Warren Fortson of Atlanta. "No ruling comes as a surprise. A disappointment, yes, but I can't put it in terms of a surprise or not a surprise.

Fortson said Friday afternoon that he had been unable to contact Bynum to deliver the news. Based upon what Bynum wants to do, he will either drop the case or appeal it to the Georgia Court of Appeals.

The school board fired Bynum last Oct. 23 based upon allegations that he made inappropriate sexual comments and retaliated against staff at North Cobb High School.

Bynum appealed that decision to the Georgia Board of Education, which on March 12 reversed the local board's decision, holding that the Cobb board acted arbitrarily and capriciously in firing Bynum.

Cobb school board members voted on March 26 to appeal the state board's decision. Superior Court Judge C. LaTain Kell heard arguments in the matter on July 31, and issued his order after 4 p.m. Friday.