Jamestown High School official says resignation is unrelated to probe into racial taunts at basketball game

JAMESTOWN, N.D. — The assistant principal at Jamestown High School has resigned, but says the resignation is not related to an ongoing investigation into racial taunts that were made Jan. 31 during a high school basketball game.

Assistant Principal John Conway wrote in his Thursday, Feb. 16, resignation that he does not feel he “can adequately fulfill all job responsibilities any longer” due to the demands of the office.

“Approval of the resignation and release from contract would be effective immediately,” Lech said in an email to The Jamestown Sun. “ … this is not related to the January 31 game or a result of the investigation.”

Jamestown Public Schools Superintendent Rob Lech said any resignation and release from a contract with the school district requires Jamestown Public School Board action. The school board’s next meeting is Monday, Feb. 20.

Jamestown Public School District officials are investigating the response to racial taunts and actions that were made during a basketball game Jan. 31 between Jamestown and Bismarck High School. Racial slurs and actions were made to two basketball players from Bismarck High School during the game.

Lech said no one has been terminated as a result of the investigation into the incident of the Jan. 31 basketball game. He said a “contemplated discharge” also requires action by the school board.

Lech said in an email sent to parents earlier this week that the investigation could take up to 60 days to complete. The school district began investigating the incident the evening of Jan. 31.