Woodland school principal accused of student assault

WOODLAND — Police in the southwest Washington community of Woodland have arrested an elementary school principal accused of using excessive force to restrain a mentally disabled third-grader.

Chief Brad Gillaspie said Woodland Primary School Principal Mark Houk was booked into jail Thursday for investigation of three counts of fourth-degree assault, a gross misdemeanor.

The Columbian reported that Houk is accused of using excessive force several times on Feb. 26 to restrain the child.

Woodland School District Superintendent Michael Green reported Houk to police and placed the principal on administrative leave. Green said Thursday that the district will resume its own internal investigation now that the police investigation is complete.

A message left for Houk at a Woodland phone number was not immediately returned.

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