Kory M. Ross, a 34-year-old former Fairfield County middle school coach, has been arrested and charged with sexual battery amidst allegations of engaging in sexual activity with a student, according to court records obtained by NBC4i. Ross, who Johnstown-Monroe Middle School hired in October of 2024, is accused of incidents that occurred before his employment with the district between Sept. 21, 2023, and March 21, 2025. The alleged sexual conduct involved a student from Pickerington Ridgeview Junior High School, where Ross had previously worked.
The Fairfield County Sheriff's Office is actively investigating the situation, and anyone with relevant information is urged to make contact. The Johnstown-Monroe Middle School superintendent issued a letter assuring that the events leading to Ross' arrest did not involve a student from their district. A representative from the district said in a statement obtained by WBNS, "The allegations resulting in Mr. Ross’ arrest stem from events dating back to September 2023, prior to Ross’ employment by Johnstown-Monroe, and to our best knowledge do not involve a Johnstown-Monroe student." Ross was placed on unpaid administrative leave following his arrest.
Ross' arrest has raised questions about the rigor of background checks in the hiring process for school district coaches. According to the Johnstown-Monroe School District, all coaches undergo a comprehensive background check before employment, as the law requires. Speaking about the nature of the investigation, the district said, "Because this is a personnel matter, we cannot share additional details at this time," in a letter to parents that ABC6 reported.
As the case unfolds, Ross is scheduled to appear in the Fairfield County Court of Common Pleas, and his coaching permit—issued by the Ohio Department of Education and allowing him to serve as a coach in Ohio schools—is likely to come under scrutiny. The allegations have stirred concern in the Fairfield and Johnstown-Monroe communities, with district officials emphasizing their commitment to student safety and adherence to legal requirements for hiring practices.
