RPS School Board member Jonathan Young resigns after probe

Richmond School Board Member Jonathan Young speaks about the newly released report on the Huguenot High School graduation shooting on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024.

Jonathan Young, seen here on Jan. 17, was first elected to the Richmond School Board in 2016. He was a wild card on the board and regularly found himself as the lone dissenting vote.

Richmond School Board member Jonathan Young, who represents the 4th District, said Friday night that he is stepping down from his role following accusations that he acted inappropriately toward a student on a field trip.

Young’s resignation comes days after news broke that an outside attorney conducted an investigation into his interactions with a 15-year-old girl while on a field trip in December, which was first reported by WTVR-TV.

According to the report, obtained by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the attorney concluded: “Young’s behavior toward (the student), although awkward, did not violate (the School Board’s harassment policy) ... I recommend that the charge be determined to be unfounded and that Young be reminded to modulate his interactions based on the age of the students.”

Young said in a statement: “Few experiences have been as rewarding as for eight years fighting for Richmond’s teachers and students and though I can brag on some success; it’s no secret that at Richmond Public Schools we are coming up short. What our stakeholders need to know is why and whom to blame. In three words, the School Board.

“To be clear, not everyone on the School Board shares equally in the blame. SOME more than others have constituted an impediment to progress and still SOME others a barrier to objectivity and common sense.

“The same SOME have told me privately that though absolved of any wrongdoing they intend to vigorously pursue crass political attacks and the worst kind of tit for tat brinkmanship. I will not oblige. Accordingly, I relinquish my service on the School Board.”

The report showed that Young approached the girl several times at an event called the Girls Mean Business Summit sponsored by the Metropolitan Business League. The activities included photographs of the attendees suitable for résumés and LinkedIn pages and other business and professional type guidance.

The report says Young took a selfie with the student while they were in an elevator together and posted it online. Young later approached her and said, “there you are,” along with a passage of Scripture. As they were both last in the line for lunch, Young grabbed her by the arm and whispered, “they save the best for last” into her ear, according to the report.

Young told the interviewer that he referenced a Scripture passage from the Gospel according to Matthew, to the effect that, “the first shall be last and the last shall be first.“

He said his point with the reference was that they were last in line for lunch, but they would be first otherwise. He made the comment, “they save the best for last” when the caterers brought out a new tray of food for those at the end of the line.

Students and teachers interviewed by the attorney described his behavior as “weird” and “odd,” but none referred to it with a sexual connotation.

The attorney wrote: “If (the student) were older than 15, I might be inclined to find that she was overly sensitive to the situation. But it’s clear that she did not understand why this gentleman was trying so hard to engage her in a conversation. At the time of his interview, Young appeared to have recognized the discomfort (the student) felt and indicated that he would change his style of interaction depending upon the age of the students.”

School Board member Kenya Gibson, who represents the 3rd District, said in a statement: “My heart goes out to this student and their family. Coming forward with a complaint against a board member is not easy. I hope this resignation provides some closure.”

Young was first elected to the School Board in 2016. He was a wild card on the board and regularly found himself as the lone dissenting vote.

He pushed for fiscal responsibility and reduced spending, the extended school year program and for greater transparency from the board. He also voted against renaming schools that were named for Confederates and proposed closing down and consolidating schools.

Young was the lead advocate for the School Board to release its report into the fatal shooting outside the Altria Theater after the Huguenot High School graduation last June.

While Young was often in opposition of the Richmond Public Schools administration, he always backed Jason Kamras as the superintendent and did not push to fire him when others did.

Young had filed for reelection but will no longer seek the position.

As required by state code, the School Board will appoint someone to fill his vacancy and serve through the end of the year.

Special Olympics athlete Brian Beck stands with niece Izzy Nelson, the director of events for Special Olympics Virginia, at the Richmond Raceway Track Laps for Charity event in Henrico County on Wednesday. Proceeds will benefit Richmond Raceway Cares and Special Olympics Virginia.

Special Olympics athlete Brian Beck waves the green flag for vehicles to start their laps at the Richmond Raceway Track Laps for Charity event on Wednesday.

Richmond Times-Dispatch reporter Thad Green drives the newspaper’s 2012 Ford Focus at the charity event on Wednesday.

Richmond Times-Dispatch reporter Thad Green drives the RTD vehicle at Richmond Raceway for Track Laps for Charity, benefitting Richmond Raceway Cares and Special Olympics Virginia, at the Richmond Raceway in Richmond, Va. April 10.

At Wednesday’s charity event, Walter Link looks under the hood to take a closer look at his 1956 Chevy Bel-Air.

Richmond Times-Dispatch reporter Thad Green drives the RTD vehicle at Richmond Raceway for Track Laps for Charity, benefitting Richmond Raceway Cares and Special Olympics Virginia, at the Richmond Raceway in Richmond, Va. April 10.

Special Olympics athlete Brian Beck, who grew up as a Dale Earnhardt fan, waves the green flag for vehicles to start their laps at the charity event on Wednesday.

NOW ONLINE: See more photo highlights from Wednesday’s event at Richmond Raceway by pointing your cellphone camera at the QR code and clicking the link. 

Anna Bryson (804) 649-6922

[email protected]

State Politics Reporter

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