A court hearing was continued to Aug. 16 for a former Kent-Meridian High School teacher and track coach charged with communication with a minor for immoral purposes.

Ernie Ammons, 37, of Black Diamond, was scheduled for a hearing July 19 at King County Superior Court in Kent. A trial date can be set at hearings or attorneys from either side can ask for more time to prepare the case. Ammons pleaded not guilty to the charge on Dec. 22 and is free on bail.

King County prosecutors charge Ammons sent sexually explicit test messages to a 16-year-old girl at the school. Ammons taught health and physical education at Kent-Meridian. He also coached boys and girls track and cross country at the school.

The Kent School District placed Ammons on paid administrative leave Nov. 8 when the allegations first came to the district’s attention. Ammons has been removed from his coaching duties.

The court ordered that Ammons be prohibited from teaching, coaching, volunteering or holding any position of authority over minors while the case is pending.

If convicted as charged, Ammons could be sentenced up to one year in jail and fined $5,000. He also would have to register as a sex offender for a minimum of 10 years because it is a sex offense.