Kochel Faces Loss of His Teaching Job : Crime: Board of Education might act against Ventura High football coach accused of sexual misconduct, regardless of the legal outcome.

Ventura High football Coach Harvey Kochel faces the loss of his teaching position regardless of the legal outcome of the allegations that he had sexual intercourse with a 16-year-old female student.

Terence M. Kilbride, president of the Ventura Unified School District’s Board of Education, said Thursday that Kochel faces a review by the board--and possible termination from the district--on suspicion of immoral behavior even if charges are not filed by the district attorney’s office.

The district attorney’s office, which will decide today whether charges will be filed, also is investigating leads that the 48-year-old coach previously might have been involved in sexual misconduct. Ventura County Dist. Atty. Michael D. Bradbury said Thursday that his office has received complaints in the past regarding Kochel and possible sexual misconduct involving minors.

“We are looking into whether or not they can be resurrected,” Bradbury said.

Acting on information provided by Ventura High officials, the Ventura Police Department on Monday began an investigation into the allegations. Kochel, who is divorced, turned himself in to detectives Wednesday, was booked and released on his own recognizance.

According to police, the alleged relationship between Kochel and the student took place between March and September, 1992. The name of the 16-year-old, a student at Ventura High, has not been released.

Kochel’s arraignment is set for Wednesday. Paul Powers, Kochel’s attorney, declined comment Thursday.

Police on Thursday afternoon forwarded information from the investigation to the district attorney’s Sexual Assault Unit, which is scheduled to announce today whether the case will be pursued.

Kochel, the school’s football coach for the past 13 years, was placed on paid leave Monday by acting Superintendent Joseph Spirito.

Kilbride said he was unfamiliar with how a board review of this type would take place because this is the first time a district teacher has faced charges of this nature in his 12 years as a board member.

Kilbride said when placed on leave a teacher has two options under the state Code of Education. First, the teacher can request to be paid until there is a determination of innocence or guilt.

Under this option, if the teacher is convicted, he must reimburse the district for the salary drawn from the time charges were filed until a verdict was reached, he said. A teacher also must pay a bond of an undetermined amount to ensure the salary is repaid if the teacher is convicted, Kilbride said.

The teacher also can refuse his paycheck while the case is being resolved. If the teacher is exonerated, he would be reimbursed by the district for salary lost over that time. If the teacher is convicted, no money would be owed to the district.

Kochel, a health and physical education teacher, has been replaced on an interim basis as coach by assistant Phil McCune.

Staff writer Tina Daunt contributed to this story.