A Howard County high school principal is on “extended leave” from the school after an “emotional interaction” with students in the cafeteria, according to district officials.

An incident involving Atholton High School Principal Nick Novak and a group of students took place in April, Howard County Public Schools spokesperson Brian Bassett said in an email. A video of the interaction was recorded, according to school officials, who have not released it. The Banner has not viewed the footage.

“It is extremely disappointing that the circumstances escalated to the point captured in the video,” Bassett said.

Novak, who has led Atholton High in Columbia since the 2023-24 academic year, is “currently on assignment” and is not returning to the high school before the end of the school year.

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He did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

Novak started his education career as an English teacher at River Hill High School before becoming an assistant principal at the Clarksville school. He went on to be an assistant principal at Glenelg High before returning to lead River Hill from 2009 to 2015, and then Howard High until 2023.

Christine Schmidt, who joined Atholton in January as an assistant principal, will fill the acting principal role, according to a letter to the school community. Clovis Thomas will serve as a substitute assistant principal for the remainder of the school year.

“We are confident that the administrators and staff at the school will work to maintain a healthy and supportive learning environment for all students for the remainder of the school year,” Bassett said.