A search of Kevin Kernohan’s office at Brookwood Elementary on May 10 turned up “a powdery substance” that tested positive as methamphetamine, according to the Hamilton Police Department.
Kernohan is charged with possession of a controlled substance, a fifth-degree felony, and a warrant was issued for his arrest, police said.
Kernohan turned himself in at 12:45 p.m. Friday, police said. He was processed and released.
“We have been working closely and cooperatively with the school district,” Hamilton Police Chief Craig Bucheit told the Journal-News.
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Police said they started their investigation of Kernohan on April 26 after a vehicle registered in his name was involved in a robbery.
After interviewing Kernohan, police determined that although the vehicle registered to him was used in the robbery, he had no knowledge or involvement in the crime.
“We are continuing to actively investigate this incident,” police said in a statement released Friday. “Kernohan is fully cooperating in the investigation and is considered nothing more than a witness at this time.”
Information obtained in that investigation, however, did lead to the conclusion that Kernohan had a connection to illegal drugs, police said.
“Due to Kernohan’s position as a Hamilton City School District employee, we immediately relayed this information to the school district for their consideration,” police said in the statement.
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Kernohan was assistant principal at Brookwood Elementary until he was placed on paid leave on April 30. Then on May 4 officials removed his paid leave status and ordered him to take his accumulated sick leave instead.
Kernohan was also previously appointed to be the summer school principal at Highland Elementary, but this week the Hamilton Board of Education rescinded that job offer by unanimous vote.
Kernohan resigned from his job on Thursday, according to the district.
On Thursday, Hamilton Schools released this statement:
“In regards to the ongoing situation with Kevin Kernohan, a search of his office at Brookwood Elementary was conducted earlier today and illegal drugs were found.
As a result, Mr. Kernohan has resigned his position and is no longer an employee of Hamilton City Schools. In addition, the district will be reporting this incident to the Ohio Department of Education’s Office of Professional Conduct.
At no time did this situation involve students or any additional staff members.
The district continues to work cooperatively with the Hamilton City Police Department with this situation.”
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Hamilton school officials declined further comment Thursday.
Kernohan, who was previously assistant principal of Ridgeway Elementary after being hired by Hamilton Schools in 2015, did not responded to messages seeking comment.
Kernohan’s annual salary is 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 is a graduate of Fairfield High School, Miami University and the University of Cincinnati.
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.
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