JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown Public School Board unanimously approved on Monday, Feb. 20, to accept the resignation of Jamestown High School Assistant Principal John Conway.
Conway submitted his letter of resignation Thursday, Feb. 16, writing that he does not feel he “can adequately fulfill all job responsibilities any longer” due to the demands of the office. Conway worked for the school district for 34 years.
Superintendent Rob Lech previously said the resignation is not related to the Jan. 31 game or a result of the investigation.
Jamestown Public School District officials are investigating the procedure of how the issue was handled when racial taunts and actions were made during a basketball game Jan. 31 between the Blue Jays and Bismarck High School. Racial slurs and actions were made to two minority basketball players from Bismarck High School during the game.
Lech previously said nobody has been terminated as a result of the investigation into the incident of the Jan. 31 basketball game. He said a “contemplated discharge” requires action by the school board.
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Lech said the investigation could take up to 60 days to complete. The school district began investigating the incident the evening of Jan. 31.
He said Monday he anticipates having about 50 to 60 interviews and statements between different stages of the investigation. He said the investigation includes a review and creation of a timeline of game film and security footage.
School board member Jason Rohr asked if school administration is handling the investigation and if law enforcement is involved at all.
Lech said when it deals with student discipline and actions, Jamestown High School Principal Adam Gehlhar and the building administrative team handles that. He said Gehlhar and Conway are involved in those particular conversations.
If it involves personnel, Lech said he handles that. Law enforcement is aware of the investigation, he said after the meeting in a text message to The Jamestown Sun.
"It would be up to them to assess if there was a violation of law," he said.
In other business, Lech told the school board his suggestion of a timeline to fill a board vacancy that was created after Roger Haut passed away in January. In his superintendent report, Lech said that the vacancy could be posted on the school district’s website on Tuesday, Feb. 21, and published in The Jamestown Sun on Saturday, Feb. 25.
He suggested that the application period end on Friday, March 3. If more than three people submit applications, the school board will narrow the pool to three finalists at its meeting on March 6. He also suggested that the school board vote at a special meeting on Wednesday, March 8, on which finalist will fill the vacancy.
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