LOS ANGELES (AP) — A former teacher at Miramonte Elementary School near South Los Angeles will stand trial on charges that he molested a student.

Martin Springer was ordered Thursday to face trial on three felony counts of committing lewd acts with a child. He’s pleaded not guilty and is free on bail.

Prosecutors contend that Springer fondled a second-grader in class in 2009. He was fired earlier this year and faces up to 12 years in prison if convicted.

Another former Miramonte teacher, Mark Berndt, was charged this year with molesting 23 students over five years at the school — including allegations that he fed some his semen in a bizarre game.

The allegations sparked parent lawsuits and a school shake-up.

The former third-grade teacher hasn’t entered a plea and remains jailed.

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