The Jamestown Public School Board has accepted the resignation of elementary school teacher Michael Paul Romans, who faces serious allegations related to an inappropriate relationship with a minor. The board unanimously approved the resignation on January 19, 2024, after Romans submitted his resignation on January 15, 2024.
Romans, 45, was employed at Gussner Elementary School and is currently facing a charge of corruption or solicitation of minors, classified as a Class C felony. This charge is being addressed in the Southeast District Court in Jamestown. He is being held at the Stutsman County Correctional Center, with bail set at either $50,000 or a surety bond of $200,000.
According to court documents, Romans is accused of engaging in sexual acts with a minor who was between 15 and 17 years old during a time frame from April 2, 2014, to April 1, 2017. It has been reported that the victim was a babysitter for Romans while in middle school and later received tutoring from him in high school.
In light of the allegations, Romans has acknowledged that his resignation was recommended in lieu of a potential discharge proceeding, waiving his rights to a hearing or an offer of a continuing contract. Superintendent Rob Lech stated that there are two avenues through which the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB) may review teacher licensure cases: through the board’s independent awareness of a situation or via a request for inquiry.
“Once they either have knowledge of or receive that request for inquiry, the ESPB then reviews the situation and renders judgment on licensure,” Lech explained.
In addition to his role as a teacher, Romans has also served as a volunteer firefighter with the Jamestown Fire Department. Following the allegations, he was placed on administrative leave from his position with the city of Jamestown.
The charge of corruption or solicitation of minors carries severe penalties, including a maximum of five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. If convicted, Romans faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years supervised probation, with the possibility of lifetime probation.
As this case unfolds, the community of Jamestown remains attentive to developments surrounding the allegations against Romans and the implications for the local educational and public safety institutions.
