Cornerstone Academy Middle School Principal Fired After Students Encounter Adult Sexual Content

The middle school principal at Cornerstone Academy in New Albany was fired after students encountered adult sexual material on the administrator's personal computer on school grounds, school leadership confirmed Friday, Oct. 9.

In a statement provided to local television stations, Cornerstone Academy officials said they were alerted to an incident in which students reportedly saw “inappropriate sexual content depicting adults” on a personal device belonging to the middle school principal while on school grounds.

In an email sent to school families, Cornerstone Academy Superintendent Brian Carlton described the development as “unexpected and disturbing.” Carlton wrote that the situation “is inconsistent with the professional standards we expect of school leaders.”

School administrators clarified the governance and employment structure governing the position, explaining that the principal was not employed directly by Cornerstone Academy itself. Instead, the administrator worked under the school's third-party educational management organization. Operating materials and published governance policies identify the charter network's management organization as ACCEL Schools.

In an official statement, school officials said the third-party operator dismissed the individual once alerted to the incident. “Although the School did not employ this individual, the third-party vendor where he worked has terminated his employment and the School is supportive of that decision,” Carlton said.

Official statements from Cornerstone Academy and local authorities have not publicly identified the former principal by name. Local broadcasters WBNS 10TV, WSYX ABC 6, and WCMH NBC4 reported contacting the New Albany Police Department and the Franklin County Sheriff's Office regarding the administrator's identity and the possibility of criminal proceedings. Inquiries had not received responses as of Sunday, Oct. 11, and law enforcement authorities have announced no criminal charges.

Cornerstone Academy operates as a tuition-free public charter school located at 7525 W. Campus Road in New Albany, providing instruction from kindergarten through 12th grade across elementary, middle, and high school divisions.

Following the termination, Carlton said middle school operations are continuing under interim leadership. Middle school students, families, and staff members are receiving direct support from the assistant principal and the superintendent's office during the leadership transition.

“The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priorities, and we are committed to maintaining a safe, supportive learning environment,” Carlton said.

The middle school principal at Cornerstone Academy in New Albany was fired after students encountered adult sexual material on the administrator's personal computer on school grounds, school leadership confirmed Friday, Oct. 9.

In a statement provided to local television stations, Cornerstone Academy officials said they were alerted to an incident in which students reportedly saw “inappropriate sexual content depicting adults” on a personal device belonging to the middle school principal while on school grounds.

In an email sent to school families, Cornerstone Academy Superintendent Brian Carlton described the development as “unexpected and disturbing.” Carlton wrote that the situation “is inconsistent with the professional standards we expect of school leaders.”

School administrators clarified the governance and employment structure governing the position, explaining that the principal was not employed directly by Cornerstone Academy itself. Instead, the administrator worked under the school's third-party educational management organization. Operating materials and published governance policies identify the charter network's management organization as ACCEL Schools.

In an official statement, school officials said the third-party operator dismissed the individual once alerted to the incident. “Although the School did not employ this individual, the third-party vendor where he worked has terminated his employment and the School is supportive of that decision,” Carlton said.

Official statements from Cornerstone Academy and local authorities have not publicly identified the former principal by name. Local broadcasters WBNS 10TV, WSYX ABC 6, and WCMH NBC4 reported contacting the New Albany Police Department and the Franklin County Sheriff's Office regarding the administrator's identity and the possibility of criminal proceedings. Inquiries had not received responses as of Sunday, Oct. 11, and law enforcement authorities have announced no criminal charges.

Cornerstone Academy operates as a tuition-free public charter school located at 7525 W. Campus Road in New Albany, providing instruction from kindergarten through 12th grade across elementary, middle, and high school divisions.

Following the termination, Carlton said middle school operations are continuing under interim leadership. Middle school students, families, and staff members are receiving direct support from the assistant principal and the superintendent's office during the leadership transition.

“The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priorities, and we are committed to maintaining a safe, supportive learning environment,” Carlton said.