That admission led to a felony drug charge against Kevin Kernohan, 42, according to documents obtained by the Journal-News.
Kernohan, of Monroe, is scheduled to be arraigned today in Hamilton Municipal Court.
A school resource officer searched Kernohan’s office on May 10 and found “a white crystal like substance” that tested positive as crystal methamphetamine “inside the middle right hand drawer” of a desk, according to court documents.
The search of his desk for “safety reasons” came after Hamilton police interviewed Kernohan on April 27 about his vehicle’s involvement in a burglary and arson.
“During this interview he admitted he does crystal meth with the person he gave the vehicle to,” according to court documents.
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Kernohan was placed on leave from his job with the school district on April 30 and has since resigned
Kernohan was also previously appointed to be the summer school principal at Highland Elementary, but last week the Hamilton Board of Education rescinded that job offer by unanimous vote.
Kernohan, who was previously assistant principal of Ridgeway Elementary after being hired by Hamilton Schools in 2015, did not respond to messages seeking comment.
His annual salary was listed as $68,368.
Prior to joining Hamilton Schools, Kernohan worked for the Butler County Education Service Center from 2012-2014 as its Progress Program principal. He worked for Cincinnati Public Schools’ Project Grad program from 2003-2012.
And in 2009 he worked part-time as a Lakota West High School junior varsity boys basketball coach.
This article contains previous reporting by staff writer Michael D. Clark.
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