Police have charged a former principal with assault and battery for allegedly smacking a 12-year-old student on her butt at a school in Alexandria, Virginia.

Officials say 53-year-old Terrence Yarborough hit the girl in the cafeteria of Carl Sandburg Middle School on April 4, according to the Fairfax County Police Department. The girl told a teacher that Yarborough smacked her butt after she refused twice to pick up something from the floor.

The incident was then reported to the school resource officer, Fairfax County Public Schools authorities, and Child Protective Services. During an investigation process, officials placed Yarborough on administrative leave.

The school system told Fox 5 News in a statement that officials will try to revoke his teaching and administrator licenses as appropriate, once the case concludes. “FCPS is committed to ensuring that all students attend school in an environment that is respectful, safe, and where they feel a high degree of trust with the staff who serve them,” a spokesperson said.

Police served Yarborough with a misdemeanor criminal summons on July 10. He came to the Mount Vernon District Police station seven days later and was released.

He’s scheduled to appear in Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court on August 4.