Bowers resigns

A teacher who was placed on administrative leave last month has resigned.

Jay School Board on Monday accepted the resignation of Joel Bowers.

His resignation was accepted as part of the consent agenda during the meeting along with various other resignations, retirements, hirings and other items. 

“Mr. Joel Bowers has resigned as a teacher at Jay County Jr-Sr High School and is no longer employed by the Jay School Corporation,” said Jay Schools superintendent Jeremy Gulley in a prepared statement provided to The Commercial Review after the meeting. “Mr. Bowers remains under investigation by the Jay County Sheriff’s Office. Should the Jay School Corporation receive any actionable information from the Jay County Prosecutor's Office in regard to allegations related to this former employee, we will promptly report that information to the Indiana Department of Education as required by law.”

No charges have been filed in connection with the incident.

Bowers was placed on leave April 11 after school officials received a report involving an allegation of misconduct that had occurred the previous day. He has been on leave since then. (The 2023-24 school year ends Thursday.)

At the time he was placed on leave, Gulley referred to “allegations of conduct in violation of JSC Policy 3213 Student Supervision and Welfare.” (That section of school corporation policy details standards such as providing proper instruction, reporting threats of violence, not fraternizing with students in an inappropriate manner and only communicating with students via electronic means directly related to school matters.)

Gulley did not characterize the nature of the allegation. Information regarding the allegation was turned over to the school resource officer.

Bowers has also resigned from his role as chair of the Jay County Democrats.