Starkville High Teacher Resigns

Jason Young

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) — Starkville High School teacher Jason Young has resigned from his position as a history teacher in the Starkville School District. Young’s resignation is effective immediately.

Young was arrested by Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Department last week and charged with his second DUI, assault on an officer, fleeing a law enforcement officer, malicious mischief, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

The District suspended Young with pay Friday morning after learning of his arrest Thursday afternoon.

Miss. Code 37-9-59 states that in the event a licensed employee is arrested, indicted or otherwise charged with a felony by a recognized law enforcement official, the continued presence of the licensed
employee on school premises shall be deemed to constitute a disruption of normal school operations.

Assault on an officer and fleeing a law enforcement officer are classified as felony charges.

“The District investigated the charges against Mr. Young and followed the law in its handling of the charges against him,” said SSD Superintendent Lewis Holloway.

The  Mississippi Educator Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct, which is included in SSD’s employee handbook, also defines a set of principles for licensed educators.  The Code of Ethics details ten standards of conduct and also defines unethical conduct as any conduct that impairs the license holder’s ability to function in his/her employment position or a pattern of behavior that is detrimental to the health, safety, welfare, discipline, or morals of students and colleagues.

“Teaching is a profession that is held to high standards, and the District expects its employees to adhere to those standards and be good role models for students,” Holloway said.