LARGO (FOX 13) -
While sitting in the Pinellas County jail, a 17-year veteran of the Pinellas school system resigned immediately in lieu of termination.
John Michael Kaneski was charged Friday with 10 counts of possession of child pornography. His bond was set at $200,000 and a judge did not lower it at a first appearance over the weekend.
A statement released Monday afternoon by Pinellas County Schools said "earlier today, Pinellas County Schools' staff secured the resignation...". A spokesperson did not know who visited Kaneski in jail.
The statement also said Kaneski's name was being forwarded to state education officials as a possible first step in revoking his teaching certificate.
Investigators said Friday the teacher's interest in child pornography surfaced in November as part of an undercover Internet investigation. They claim he was detected downloading images and videos, and those were found on a computer in his Dunedin home.
Arrest records describe the victims as prepubescent white females, in some instances engaging in sexual activities.
Since 1995, Kaneski has taught at Walsingham Elementary, Curlew Creek Elementary, Skycrest Elementary and most recently at Cross Bayou Elementary in Pinellas Park. In a message delivered to parents via telephone over the weekend, Cross Bayou principal Katherine Wickett said "None of the images depicts students at our school or at any school in the district."
After assuring parents Kaneski would not be returning, she also said "I want to further assure you that any adult who works one-on-one with students or in small groups as Mr. Kaneski did does so in a highly visible area, such as a hallway or a room with other adults."
People picking up kids when class was dismissed Monday said Kaneski's arrest was a delicate subject for grade schoolers. Joe Hemphill said his granddaughter was concerned.
"She was totally upset, she said I'm not going back to school. Can I go to another school?" Hemphill recalled, "I mean it bothered her, 8 years old." The principal's message said extra counselors would be at the school Monday.
