Barbour County High School principal arrested

A Barbour County principal who was arrested Sept. 24 is a former Opelika City Schools principal, the Opelika-Auburn News confirmed Friday.

Opelika City Schools’ spokeswoman Becky Brown confirmed that Clarence Magee Jr. was formerly a principal of Carver Primary School.

According to Opelika police reports, Magee was arrested at 12:16 a.m. Sept. 24 at Grown Folks Blues & More on Samford Avenue in Opelika on three charges of first-degree criminal mischief and one charge each of resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, attempting to flee and reckless endangerment, which are misdemeanors, Opelika Police Capt. Allan Elkins said.

Elkins said Magee was booked into the Lee County Detention Facility. According to Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones, Magee has since been released.

On the report, Magee lists his occupation as a principal with Barbour County Schools. The school system’s website lists him as principal of Barbour County High School.

When asked about the arrest, Barbour County Schools’ Superintendent Jimmie Fryer said, “We have no comment at this time.” OCS Superintendent Dr. Mark Neighbors also declined to comment about Magee’s arrest.

Magee and members of the Barbour County Schools’ Board of Education could not be reached for comment.

Earlier this year, Opelika City Schools’ Board of Education did not renew Magee’s contract as principal of Carver Primary School.

According to police reports, Magee had been asked to leave Grown Folks and refused. The report further states, “Magee then struggled with officers who had arrived at the scene, ran to his vehicle and attempted to leave the parking lot; while doing so, Magee ran into three of the police cars at the scene.”

No one was injured.

Magee was sober during the course of the incident and was driving a silver 2010 Jeep Patriot, according to the report. He is scheduled to appear in Opelika Municipal Court on Dec. 7.