Principal of Kensington Intermediate School Under Investigation

The principal of Kensington Intermediate School in Rocky River has been placed on immediate leave following an investigation involving a former high school student. Kensington is a public intermediate school for grades three through five, with over 600 students.

From 2006-2012, Heath Horton taught language arts for South Euclid and Lyndhurst City Schools. He then accepted an administrative position at Brooklyn High School for five years before becoming an assistant principal at Rocky River High School. Horton began his role as principal at Kensington in the fall of 2021.

In June of this year, a complaint was filed by the parent of a former high school student accusing Heath Horton of misconduct. During his employment at Rocky River High School, Horton engaged in thousands of inappropriate text messages with previous students concerning topics such as sex, alcohol, and drug use.

He provided underage students – some as young as 16 – with alcohol and frequent visits to his home in Elyria. Text message records from Horton indicate that he also asked students what they like to drink, telling them “he can’t wait to get drunk and smoke together.”

According to a spokesman from Rocky River City Schools, the district has engaged in continuous cooperation with the Rocky River Police Department. The representative also maintained that the school district’s priority is the safety and wellbeing of its students, staff, and community members.

Authors: Alexis Kabat and Andy Goldwasser