S.C. PRINCIPAL CRITICIZED FOR DRUG SWEEP RESIGNS

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (AP) - A high school principal announced his resignation
Monday after coming under fire over a November drug sweep in which police
with guns drawn ordered students to the floor.

"I realized it is in the best interest of Stratford High School and of my
students for me to make a change," George McCrackin said in a statement.

School officials asked Goose Creek police to come into the school Nov. 5
after receiving reports of marijuana sales on campus. Police said dogs
sniffed drug residue on 12 book bags but found no drugs. No one was
arrested.

The raid led to allegations of excessive force and racism, because many of
the students were black.

District Superintendent J. Chester Floyd said McCrackin will be reassigned
to a still-undetermined position. But he said McCrackin will probably spend
the coming weeks preparing for two lawsuits filed by students over the
incident.