PRINCIPAL RIGHT TO LEAVE STRATFORD

George McCrackin made the right decision in stepping aside from his job as
principal at Berkeley's Stratford High School. It could not have been an
easy decision, given his 20 years of service at the school, and the support
he had been given by the staff there. But the continuing controversy over a
Nov. 5 drug raid at the school has overshadowed his administrative work.
Since that controversy began, Mr. McCrackin has been the subject of both
criticism and praise. He requested the police raid after he became
suspicious of marijuana dealing at the school, and initially defended the
police action, saying, "We have to ensure the health and safety of our
students and staff." Later, the district superintendent said neither he nor
the principal knew that officers would go into Stratford with guns drawn.

The criticism might have been muted had the officers turned up any
significant evidence to support Mr. McCrackin's suspicions. Instead, the
raid turned into a public relations disaster for the school and the
district. The enduring images of the police raid were provided by a school
security camera which showed officers pointing automatic pistols at cowering
students. Some students also were handcuffed by police.

As part of his new duties in the district's administrative offices, Mr.
McCrackin will help school officials prepare a defense for two lawsuits
arising from the raid. The former principal is among the defendants in those
suits.

Meanwhile, the appointment of longtime district employee Mildred Brevard as
interim principal should restore a measure of normalcy for the remainder of
the school year. But, as critics of the raid observe, the matter is far from
resolved.

While Mr. McCrackin took much of the public heat for the drug raid, the
Goose Creek Police Department at the very least shares the responsibility.
An investigation by Attorney General Henry McMaster ultimately should help
determine how the responsibility, or blame, should finally be measured.