Covington Principal Arrested on Charges of Misdemeanor Assault Following Incident at High School Gymnasium
COVINGTON (AP) — The principal of Covington High School, Dr. Michael Reynolds, was arrested on Tuesday morning in connection with an alleged physical altercation that occurred within the school’s gymnasium on Monday afternoon. According to the Covington Police Department, Reynolds, 52, was taken into custody without incident at approximately 9:00 AM local time and charged with one count of misdemeanor assault and one count of disturbing the peace. The incident reportedly stemmed from a confrontation between Reynolds and a 17-year-old male student during a mandatory pep rally. Witnesses told authorities that the principal grabbed the student by the arm after the student refused to put away a mobile phone, leading to a physical scuffle. The student sustained minor bruising but declined medical treatment. Reynolds, who has served as principal since 2018, was released on a personal recognizance bond later that day. The Covington County School Board has placed Reynolds on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation. The student has been suspended for three days for violation of the school’s electronics policy. A preliminary court hearing is scheduled for next Tuesday.