By Marie McCain and Cindy Kranz
The Cincinnati Enquirer

BATAVIA - A 27-year-old Batavia man has become the fourth employee of Amelia High School to be indicted on charges that he had sex with a student.

A Clermont County grand jury Wednesday found sufficient evidence to charge Eric J. Fouss with four counts of sexual battery. The allegations stem from incidents that occurred during the 1998-1999 school year and involved a then-17-year-old female, officials said.

Fouss, a math teacher at Amelia for four years, could be sent to prison for up to 20 years if convicted as charged.

He will be removed from his teaching position and placed on administrative leave today. West Clermont Superintendent Michael Ward has scheduled a press conference at 11 a.m. today to discuss steps the district is taking to educate students, teachers and parents about appropriate teacher-student relationships.

Three other one-time Amelia High School employees have already been found guilty of sexual battery charges for having sex with students.

Officials said those incidents were independent of the allegations against Fouss.

E-mail mmccain@enquirer.com and ckranz@enquirer.com