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Petition asks WJCC School Board member to resign after husband’s child porn charges

Posted at 4:10 PM, Dec 13, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-13 23:50:06-05

JAMES CITY Co., Va. - A online petition is asking Sandra Young, a Williamsburg-James City County School Board Member, to resign.

School Board Chair Jim Kelly also told News 3 that five of the seven board members have asked her to step down.

However, at Tuesday night's school board meeting, Sandra said she would not step down.

"With the dignity I think it deserves, I will not resign," she said after an emotional testimony into her family's past.

Sandra Young

Sandra Young

Sandra's husband, Charles Young, was arrested in November on 10 charges related to child pornography, according to court documents.

The charges allege Charles Young knowingly received child porn of minor males.

Sandra claimed to be separated from her husband for 20 years, not because of his charges.

Sandra said she did not know about his activities. Her son made the discovery and ultimately turned him in.

Board members noted on Tuesday night that they have no jurisdiction to force Sandra to resign.

Several parents and friends publicly spoke to the board to say they have no reason to ask her to do so.

"It is a sad irony that the woman who has devoted a good part of her first year on board to try and prevent bullying in schools is herself being bullied," said a speaker.

The petition is on Change.org and it calls for Sandra to resign saying it is the School Board's responsibility to ensure the safety of all students.

The petition says Sandra used poor judgement by taking her husband to school events.

The School Board site says Sandra's term started January 1, 2016 and ends December 31, 2019.

Chairman Jim Kelly says since Sandra is choosing not to resign they are planning to move forward business as usual.