ASHLAND – The trial for the former Ashland High School teacher accused of sexual battery against a student that was scheduled to start March 14 has been pushed back to June.
Kimberly Siracuse, 48, was indicted in September on three counts of sexual battery for alleged sexual acts involving a student in 1997. She entered not guilty pleas to all three counts on Sept. 12.
Siracuse’s attorney James Mayer filed a motion requesting a continuance to allow more time to prepare for the trial.
“Additional time is necessary to prepare this matter for trial due to the accusations being more than 20 years old and the large number of witnesses expected to be called,” Mayer wrote in his motion.
Ashland County Common Pleas Judge Ronald P. Forsthoefel rescheduled Siracuse’s trial for June 5.
Each of the three counts of sexual battery is a third-degree felony and carries a possible sentence of 1-5 years in prison.
Siracuse has been out on bond since Sept. 12.
The Ashland City Schools Board of Education accepted Siracuse’s resignation on Oct. 2. The teacher had been on paid leave since March 4.
