SHERWOOD — The Abundant Life School principal and coach accused of sexual assault made a brief appearance in Sherwood District Court this morning.
Tim Ballard, 39, did not answer reporters' questions as he and family members walked out of the courtroom and into the parking lot.
Judge Milas "Butch" Hale III entered a not guilty plea for Ballard and moved the case to Circuit Court, a standard practice in felony cases.
Ballard was arrested Friday on a charge of first-degree sexual assault after an anonymous caller reported to police that he had resigned as coach following accusations of sexual relationships with several female students, according to a police report.
Investigators later learned school officials had received an e-mail from a former student who said she "carried on an inappropriate long term relationship" with Ballard from her seventh grade through senior years, the report said. School officials also told authorities they had received multiple complaints against Ballard regarding inappropriate behavior with female students dating back 11 years.
While investigating the initial information, another caller told police she was "a victim of sexual assault by Coach Ballard," according to the report.
Ballard, who is on paid administrative leave from the school, was released from the Pulaski County Jail Sunday afternoon after posting a $50,000 bond.