A principal at a high school in Maryland has been placed on leave after a physical altercation with a student. Video of the incident recorded by another student emerged on social media.
Prince George's County Public Schools confirmed that Gorman Brown, principal of Charles Herbert Flowers High School in Springdale, is on leave until further notice.
The clip, obtained by WJLA, shows Brown and the boy, believed to be 17, swinging at each other in the school hallway. A caption on the video, filmed on a cellphone, suggests that Brown "hit him first."
Prince George's County Police are said to be investigating the incident, which unfolded after the student was kicked out of class for being disruptive, reports NBC 4 Washington.
After being asked to find the students, the altercation unfolded. A school resource officer stated that he saw the student hitting Brown and used foam pepper spray against the 17-year-old. After his face was washed at the school nurse office, he refused further medical treatment.
Area 3 Associate Superintendent, Dr. Carletta T. Marrow, confirmed the incident in a letter to parents and guardians dated February 6. "Earlier today, there was an alleged physical altercation between a student and Principal Gorman Brown," the letter read.
"The circumstances are under investigation. Mr Brown has been placed on leave until further notice. Assistant Principal Ronald Miller will serve as Administrator in Charge in the interim.
"The safety of our students and staff members is our top priority. Safe learning environments are our collective responsibility. Today's incident is not in line with our school mission and values.
"Please discuss with your child acceptable behaviors that support a positive school climate. Concerns about safety or well-being should be shared with a trusted adult."
Brown was previously in the news after he and two other Prince George's County Public Schools employees sued Herbert Flowers High following the discovery of a hidden surveillance camera inside the principal's office.
Brown, along with resident principal Mar-C Holland and secretary Donna Bussey, said the camera was disguised as a smoke detector and may have been installed in 2016, reported Fox 5 DC.
According to the lawsuit, the camera was discovered on April 13, 2018, although it is still unclear who authorized it to be installed. The lawsuit stated that the camera could have not only recorded staff members getting changed in the office, but also the school's Pom team.
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