Christian Peterson
reporter@riverbendnews.org
It was recently revealed that Gary Caldwell, an assistant principal at Suwannee High School, was put on paid leave pending an investigation into a physical altercation with a female student. The investigation, spearheaded by Matthew Carson with Sniffen and Spellman, concluded with Carson recommending that Caldwell receive “available and appropriate” discipline for his actions, possibly leading to Caldwell’s termination. If Caldwell were to remain employed with the school district, he will be provided additional training and will be put in a position that does not have “responsibility for minor children.”
On Tuesday, Jan. 25, a verbal argument began between two female students at approximately 12:30 p.m. The two students were successfully separated by other students when Caldwell arrived on the scene. Upon understanding the incident, Caldwell approached the 17-year-old victim and put his arms around her torso. The victim attempted to escape Caldwell’s grasp, at which point he lifted the student off the ground. During this time his left arm snaked around her neck. A report from Sniffen and Spellman indicates the victims’ feet could be seen several inches off the ground, dangling. Caldwell then slammed the victim into the ground. It was noted in the report that the other student was six to eight feet away when Caldwell grabbed the victim. A witness to the incident told the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) she yelled at Caldwell that he was holding the victim in a choke hold.
Caldwell was investigated extensively and, during an interview, openly admitted his arm was around the victim’s neck. At the same time, Caldwell told the investigators that his actions were within school board policy and an output of his training. Caldwell retains that he “acted in a reasonable manner due to the circumstances” and that he was “acting in good faith to prevent hurt, harm and danger.” The SCSO and outside investigators disagreed.
Hunter Abercrombie, assistant principal at Suwannee Middle School, who also provided training for the district, told investigators that physical holds should be used only “as a last resort.” The training also did not include any form of hold above the arms and staff are also never trained to put a student on the ground. “Caldwell escalated a verbal altercation to a physical altercation,” the report concludes. It goes on to state he “exposed a student to actual physical harm.” Any decisions in regard to Caldwell will be announced on Monday, March 14 at the earliest. More on this story will come at a later time.