A 63-year-old Austin man accused of sexually touching female third-graders while teaching at a Stewartville school will have an omnibus hearing in Olmsted County on Oct. 13.

Francis Allen Skinness, who taught at Bonner Elementary School, made his first appearance in district court Monday on two felony counts of second degree criminal sexual conduct.

The teacher, who also worked part-time as a teacher at Austin’s Banfield Elementary School during the 1992-1993 school year, was released from custody but is under court order to not leave the state without written approval.

Skinness is on paid administrative leave from his job at Bonner Elementary, according to a Stewartville school district spokesman.

The felony charges stem from an April investigation by the local sheriff’s department after they were contacted by Olmsted County Community Services, according to a criminal complaint.

Det. Lee Rossman went to the school to speak with principal David Nystuen, who said four girls from Skinness’ class had come to him on April 20 and told him about incidents with Skinness “invading their space.”

This included hugs that were “too long, or too tight,” and Skinness standing behind the girls so that they felt his genitals against their backs, according to the complaint. The girls also told principal Nystuen that they had given Skinness a note asking him to stop on April 16.

According to the complaint, the victims said Skinness only touched them more after he received the note.

Two of the girls told Rossman that Skinness had touched their breasts and nipples multiple times, starting in fall 2008. Both girls said Skinness had used a stool where he allegedly had the girls sit between his legs while he pushed his genitals up against them and touched them. Rossman seized the stool.

Skinness denies the allegations, according to the complaint, and said he does not remember committing the acts, but if he did they were done unintentionally.

A call to Skinness’ attorney, Austin’s Lawrence Maus, was not returned Monday.