School superintendent pleads guilty to drug-related charge

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The superintendent of a central Ohio school district has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanour drug charge after police say crack cocaine was found in his car.

Fifty-four-year-old William Morrison III, superintendent of the Hamilton Local Schools, pleaded guilty in a Franklin County drug court Monday to possessing a counterfeit controlled substance. He received probation and a four-day jail sentence in a plea deal.

Columbus police say Morrison was arrested Friday night after bicycle officers asked why he was parked in an alley. Police say Morrison told them he was taking a woman to dinner but didn’t know her name. Officers searched Morrison’s car and found a crack rock and a crack pipe.

The school board placed Morrison on paid administrative leave Sunday.

Morrison’s attorney didn’t return messages seeking comment Thursday.