A Jackson Academy family is suing the private school, alleging school officials retaliated against them and their son after concerns were raised about recently enrolled student-athletes.
Jason and Carolyn Voyles filed a complaint in Hinds County on Jan. 5 against JA and headmaster Edward Wettach, claiming their son was unreasonably removed from the school. The Voyles had previously expressed concern to other parents over what they believed to be prohibited recruiting efforts, the complaint said. The Midsouth Association of Independent Schools, the league played in by JA and most of Mississippi’s private schools, does not allow recruiting – although allegations have been made for decades that schools, especially in the Jackson metro, actively pursue students from other schools for the purpose of athletics.
According to the complaint, Jason Voyles compiled information into a PDF identifying “11 student-athletes from Clinton, Madison Central, Pearl, and Northwest Rankin that Jackson Academy had recruited for sports during the 2025-26 school year.” He then shared that information with other JA parents, and it spread throughout the school community.
The complaint alleges the Voyles were called to a meeting by JA officials on June 9, 2025, where they were informed their son would no longer be allowed to attend the school. School leadership cited the “negativity” created by the information Jason Voyles had compiled as the reason for their son’s withdrawal. JA’s enrollment agreements allow for the school to decline continued enrollment of any student “if the School reasonably concludes that the actions of a parent or guardian make such a positive constructive working relationship impossible or otherwise seriously interfere with the School’s accomplishment and mission.”
The Voyles, on the other hand, argue it was not “reasonable” for their son to be unenrolled by the school over their concerns over an influx of student-athletes.
“… It was not reasonable for Jackson Academy to conclude that Jason’s actions made a positive and constructive working relationship ‘impossible’ or ‘seriously interfered’ with Jackson Academy’s mission,” a portion of the complaint reads. “… It was not Jason’s actions but Jackson Academy’s illegal recruiting that has interfered with its mission and created an intense backlash. By terminating [our son] without cause, Jackson Academy is liable for breach of contract.”
Although the complaint does use initials when referring to the Voyles’ son, SuperTalk Mississippi News has decided not to include those in this article. The publication has also chosen not to include the names of student-athletes who enrolled at JA ahead of the 2025-26 school year.
The Voyles are seeking damages as part of the complaint, including the repayment of over a decade’s worth of tuition and compensation for pain, suffering, and emotional distress damages, attorney’s fees, and any other available relief.
JA and Wettach have until Feb. 5 to respond to the complaint, which has been assigned to Judge Yemi Kings. JA did not respond to requests for comment from SuperTalk Mississippi News.