Montgomery County Principal Charged With Assaulting Student

He has been placed on leave.Ritchie Park Elementary School (Photo from Montgomery County Public Schools)Rockville, Md (KM) An elementary school principal in Montgomery County has been charged with one count of 2nd-degree assault. Rockville Police say an arrest warrant was issued on Monday, June 3rd. 2024. against Andrew Winter., 54, who is the principal at Ritchie Park Elementary School. He turned himself in to the Central Processing Unit.Winter went before US District Court in Rockville on Tuesday, and was released on $1500 unsecured bond.An investigation by Rockville Police and the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office allege that on February 9th. 2024. Winter assaulted a student by grabbing that person by their clothing, and sitting them down on a nearby bench. He put his foot on top of the student’s right foot. When the student began crying, he sat down next to that person, and put his arm on the victim’s shoulders.The assault took place during the lunch hour, and was captured on school video footage. Police say two students saw what happened and notified a teacher.Montgomery County Public Schools says Winter has been placed on leave from his job as principal.By Kevin McManus