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Montgomery principal charged in assault of student, police say

The alleged assault occurred Feb. 9 at Ritchie Park Elementary School.

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June 4, 2024 at 12:23 a.m. EDT
Cordon tape seals off an active crime scene. (iStock)
1 min

The principal of an elementary school in Montgomery County has been charged in the assault of a student, according to the Rockville police.

Andrew Winter, 54, surrendered after a warrant was issued Monday charging him with second-degree assault, the police said.

The alleged assault occurred Feb. 9 at Ritchie Park Elementary School, where Winter is the principal, according to the police and charging documents. In a statement supporting a request for a warrant, a police officer said Winter was speaking with a student when he grabbed them by their clothing, sat them on a bench and stomped on their foot.

The principal was to appear Monday before a District Court commissioner, but information on the appearance was not immediately available.

Winter was appointed as principal of the Rockville elementary school in 2020. He is well known in the school system for his advocacy on behalf of Jewish teachers after he founded the Montgomery County Jewish Educators Alliance.

A spokeswoman for the school system did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

It was not immediately clear Monday what Winter’s employment status is with the school system. The school’s website lists an acting principal.

Nicole Asbury contributed.