The Associated Press

SEAMAN, Ohio - A high school administrator accused of dangling a student over a railing is on paid suspension while he faces misdemeanor charges of aggravated menacing and endangering children.

Ronnie Roush, assistant principal at North Adams High School, was arraigned Wednesday in Adams County Court. He is scheduled for trial Aug. 3. If convicted, Roush could face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine if convicted on each charge.

His lawyer, John Caldwell, and county Prosecutor David Kelley declined to discuss the case Thursday. They said Judge Alan Foster on Wednesday ordered them not to discuss it outside of court.

A 14-year-old student told WLWT-TV (Channel 5) on Wednesday that Roush had dangled her over the railing of a second-floor balcony inside the school in March 2003 when she was an eighth-grade student.

A grand jury filed the charges against Roush on Monday. Officials would not say why it took more than a year to bring charges.

Pat Kimble, superintendent of the Adams County/Ohio Valley School District, declined comment Thursday, citing the judge's order.

Kimble said in a memo sent to Roush that "even if the incident was only in jest, I would encourage you to think twice before cutting up with any student."