Resignation accepted for Jamestown teacher facing felony drug charge

JAMESTOWN – The Jamestown Public School Board unanimously approved on Monday, Feb. 27, the resignation of Amy Tarno, according to Superintendent Rob Lech.

Tarno, who is accused of facing a felony drug charge along with several other misdemeanor charges, submitted her resignation on Feb. 24.

“The resignation is effective immediately,” she wrote. “I waive any rights to have a hearing or offer a continuing contract pursuant to N.D.C.C. ch. 15.1-15. I understand that since this is a voluntary resignation, I will not be eligible for unemployment benefits.”

Tarno was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation. She is facing charges of prohibited acts, a Class B felony, six counts of prohibited acts and possession of drug paraphernalia, Class A misdemeanors, prohibited acts, a Class B misdemeanor, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction.

Contributed / Stutsman County Correctional Center

Tarno was arrested Feb. 14 after the Stutsman County Narcotics Task Force executed a search warrant at 2205 4th St. NE in Jamestown and located about 30 grams of methamphetamine, 17 grams of marijuana, various controlled prescription medications, LSD, THC edibles and drug paraphernalia for the use of and manufacturing of methamphetamine.

Tarno was a business education instructor at Jamestown High School. She was also the assistant volleyball coach for the Jamestown Public School District.

In other business, the school board unanimously approved the hire of Jerry Waagen as interim assistant principal at Jamestown High School for 86 days beginning Tuesday, Feb. 28, and ending on June 30.

Lech said Darby Heinert will take over the assistant principal duties for 86 days that former Assistant Principal John Conway was doing before he resigned. Heinert is employed by the school district as an assistant principal at Jamestown High School and assistant director at the James Valley Career and Technology Center.

Also, the school board unanimously approved Waagen’s resignation as a work-based learning coordinator.

Lech said Waagen will then take over Heinert’s duties at the Career and Technology Center.

He said the plan is for the school district to hire an assistant principal for the high school and for Waagen and Heinert to return to their previous roles for the next school year.