JACKSONVILLE, ARK. – A member of the Jacksonville City Council is out on bond following his arrest after a fight at a Jacksonville North Pulaski School District board meeting Friday night.
67-year-old Michael Dietz is facing charges of aggravated assault, driving while intoxicated and other related offenses. The incident happened shortly after a school board meeting where Dietz’s daughter, Lindsey Jones, was terminated from her position as principal of Bayou Meto Elementary School.
Video recorded by Assistant Superintendent Bobby Lester shows an argument between Dietz and the district’s security director, Chris Oldham, in the parking lot following the meeting.
In the footage, Oldham can be heard telling Dietz, “You’re intoxicated,” to which Dietz responds, “I’m not intoxicated.”
Quitman School District sued after funding legal counsel for its staff members
The video then shows Dietz getting into a vehicle while Oldham warns that he will call 911 if Dietz attempts to drive. Dietz then backs up his vehicle and accelerates toward Lester.
Oldham calls 911, and Dietz was arrested.
Robert Smith, who lives in Jacksonville, said he was disappointed after seeing the video.
“I mean, that’s unacceptable. If you saw the video and his behavior. I think he owes an apology,” Smith said.
Arkansas Tech University issues statement following arrest of public safety officer
Another resident, Marie Hayden, described the situation as shocking.
“I think it’s terrible. It’s like nothing I’ve ever heard before in Jacksonville,” Hayden said.
Dietz has since bonded out of jail.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.