Starkville Teacher Placed on Leave for Second DUI

Young

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI)-A Starkville High School social studies teacher has been suspended with pay after being arrested for his second DUI charges and fleeing police after an incident earlier this week.

In addition to the DUI, Jason Young, 29, was arrested by Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s deputies for assault on an officer, fleeing a law enforcement officer, malicious mischief, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct.

Young has been with the school district for five years and received his first DUI while employed by the district.

School district officials say they are following the law in handling Young’s case. State law says school employees charged with a felony should be considered a disruption to the school. The law states:  The school district is following the law, which says 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, in its handling of the situation.

The assault and fleeing charges are felonies.

School officials did not become aware of the arrest until late Thursday and were meeting today to consider action.