COVINGTON, Ga. – A Newton High School student was charged Monday after striking an administrator at the school.

According to a Newton County Sheriff’s Office incident report, the school resource officer responded to the cafeteria on a report of a fight just after 12:30 p.m. Sept. 24. When she arrived, she observed an administrator holding a student and a crowd surrounding them.

The administrator reportedly told the deputy he separated the students involved and the offender then punched him in the neck causing pain and redness.

According to the report, the juvenile was placed in handcuffs and escorted to the office. The second party involved was taken to the commons area with another administrator.

A NCSO spokesperson said the student who struck the administrator was charged with misdemeanor battery and disruption of a public school. According to the report, he was released to his mother.

In a statement, Newton County School System Director of Public Relations Sherri Davis told The Covington News that violence against system employees will not be tolerated.

“We will not tolerate anyone striking or trying to harm one of our employees in any way. In addition to any possible legal charges, the student will also be charged with violating the student code of conduct,” she said. “He will be disciplined accordingly.”