Dothan High principal placed on leave

Dothan High School Principal Andrew Sewell has been placed on paid administrative leave following police action to seek warrants against him on a charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Police said the charge against Sewell regarded conduct in which he is alleged to have engaged with a student under the age of 18.

Dothan City School Board Chairman Steve Stokes said he had been informed Sewell had engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a female student.

“There is no such thing as consent between a student and a teacher, as far as I’m concerned,” he said. “...Our policy is, and has been, that it’s inappropriate for a teacher to have a relationship with a student.”

Dothan Police Chief John R. Powell said the warrant was being sought by the police department late Thursday afternoon based on interviews with the alleged victim and probable cause. Powell said further details about the case would be released pending a review by the district attorney’s office.

Sam Nichols, Dothan City School superintendent, said placing staff suspected, but not proven, of criminal activity on paid administrative leave is standard practice.

Sewell has been principal of Dothan High for two years. Assistant Principal Matt Humphrey will take over Sewell’s duties until a replacement is found.