Jamestown Board Unanimously Accepts Resignation of Teacher Charged with Soliciting Minors

The Jamestown Public School Board unanimously approved accepting the resignation of Michael Paul Romans, 45, an elementary teacher at Gussner Elementary, following his resignation submission on Jan. 15. The action came as Romans faces a Class C felony charge of corruption or solicitation of minors in Southeast District Court in Jamestown, and was taken up during the board’s Jan. 20 meeting.

Court documents allege sexual activity with a person who was 15-17 years old between 2014 and 2017. Romans is being held at the Stutsman County Correctional Center on bond. School officials said Romans agreed to resign in lieu of a recommended discharge proceeding and waived his rights to a hearing or an offer of a continuing contract.

The resignation shifts the personnel and legal responsibility away from an internal discharge hearing to the criminal justice process and potential licensure review. Jamestown Public Schools noted that the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB) can review teacher licensure through its own inquiry or a request for inquiry. That review could result in disciplinary action, including restriction or revocation of any teaching license held by Romans.

Romans also serves as a volunteer firefighter; city officials placed him on administrative leave after charges were filed. The dual roles amplify community concern, since both schools and emergency services are built on public trust. For families with children at Gussner Elementary and for residents who rely on volunteer fire services, the case underscores the overlap between school staffing and community volunteerism in Jamestown.

The board’s unanimous vote to accept the resignation effectively foreclosed a local employment hearing, raising questions about how the district balances swift personnel action with transparency for parents and taxpayers. Administrative decisions that remove the option of a public hearing can speed closure for an employer but may leave unanswered questions for families seeking details about past supervision, background checks, and district safeguards.

Practically, the immediate impact on Gussner Elementary appears limited to personnel change; the district has not announced any classroom-level disruptions. Longer-term implications include possible ESPB licensure action and the criminal court’s schedule and outcomes. The situation also creates pressure on local leaders to review hiring and oversight practices and to communicate clearly with parents about student safety measures.

For readers, the next developments to watch are court filings in Southeast District Court and any inquiry by the ESPB. The school board and city will likely face follow-up requests from the community for updates and potential policy reviews that address screening, reporting, and oversight of staff and volunteers.