THORNDIKE — The principal of Mount View Middle School in Thorndike is scheduled to appear in court next month after being arrested this week on three counts of unlawful sexual touching.
David A. Holinger, 41, of Belgrade was the subject of a Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office investigation that began last month into an allegation of sexual touching, a Class D offense, that reportedly occurred in Belgrade, according to information released Thursday by Lt. Chris Read of the Sheriff’s Office.
Holinger’s bail was set at $1,000 cash and he is to have no contact with the alleged victim or unsupervised contact with any girl younger than 16, according to Read.
He was arrested Tuesday, made bail and was released the same day, Read said.
Holinger is scheduled to appear in court at 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 18 at the Capital Judicial Center in Augusta.
Named the Maine Biology Teacher of the Year in 2002 by the National Association of Biology Teachers, Holinger began his teaching career that year in Old Orchard, according to the Mount View Middle School website.
He taught ninth-grade earth systems science at Lewiston High School for nine years, and was head of school at Kennebec Montessori School in Fairfield, before coming to Regional School Unit 3 in 2019.
“I am passionate about supporting the social, emotional, academic and personal growth of our students,” Holinger said in a statement on the website.
Attempts to reach Holinger on Thursday were unsuccessful.
Holinger received his master’s degree in educational leadership in 2018 from Thomas College in Waterville. He also holds a bachelor’s in marine science and education, with a minor in oceanography, from the University of New England in Biddeford.
RSU 3 enrolls students from Brooks, Freedom, Jackson, Knox, Liberty, Monroe, Montville, Thorndike, Troy, Unity and Waldo.
A call placed to RSU 3 Superintendent Charles Brown seeking comment Thursday was not returned, but Brown released a statement to the school community, parents and students saying that earlier in the day, school officials had become aware a district principal had been arrested and charged with three counts of unlawful sexual touching of a minor.
“RSU 3 is performing an investigation into these allegations and will cooperate with law enforcement,” Brown’s statement read. “The principal is on administrative leave pending the result of this investigation and has been informed that he is to have no contact with any RSU 3 students or enter RSU 3 school grounds.”
Brown said RSU 3 takes the allegations “extremely seriously and will take all actions necessary in order to ensure that its students are safe and protected. There will be counselors available for students and staff.”
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