School administrator charged, suspended

A Cedartown-area school administrator turned himself at the Polk County Jail on Wednesday morning and was later released on several charges following an incident on Nov. 16 involving a student.

According to a Polk County Police report released this morning:

Youngs Grove Elementary School Vice Principal Matthew Michael Johnson, 31, was briefly held in custody on charges of felony cruelty to children in the second degree and misdemeanor charges of reckless conduct, battery and simple battery.

Polk County Police Chief Kenny Dodd additionally explained some details left out of the report.

According to information he provided, the third grader was already in trouble for pushing another child and he was taken to the principal’s office.

After refusing to follow the principal’s instructions and laying down on the floor, Johnson is reported to have drug him by the feet across the floor causing the burns to his back.

“These burns were caused by the carpet that the student was alleged to have been dragged across by the assistant principal,” the report stated.

The Department of Family and Children’s Services got involved in the case, who then referred it to the police department.

The report stated that Johnson was then placed on administrative leave once police informed the school district that an investigation was about to begin. Warrants were drawn on Tuesday after the report stated a thorough investigation was completed.

Johnson turned himself in on the charges and was released on $8,000 in bail.

Superintendent Laurie Atkins said only that they were aware of the issue and that Johnson was suspended with pay, but couldn’t comment further since it was a personnel issue.