KENNEBUNK � A former Kennebunk High School teacher was arraigned in York County Superior Court Monday, pleading not guilty to all 14 counts stemming from alleged sexual assaults last spring of a then 17-year-old male student.

Jill Lamontagne, 29, of Kennebunk, is charged with six counts of gross sexual assault, two counts of unlawful sexual contact, and six counts of sexual abuse of a minor. According to court records, Lamontagne will remain free on $1,000 bail following her arraignment Monday.

Lamontagne�s lawyer Scott Gardner said his client adamantly denies the charges. He said following her plea Monday that the student was not in Lamontagne�s class, but she did help him with homework.

�She entered a not guilty plea because she is not guilty. This is a teenage fantasy that became a rumor. As soon as my client heard about the rumor she reported it,� Gardner said. �This student had an emotional breakdown just before graduation and he made a disclosure, and then months later he told this story.

�None of this is true. Her career has been upended and her life has been turned upside down. These sorts of allegations can arise at any time that a teacher spends time with an emotionally disturbed student.�

Lamontagne, who taught health at Kennebunk High School for five years, resigned from the position. Her resignation was accepted by the RSU 21 board of directors on Sept. 18.

The allegations against Lamontagne came to light in June when a protection from abuse order granted in Biddeford District Court ordered her to have no contact with the then 17-year-old student. Lamontagne was put on leave when the school district learned of the allegations in April. She returned to work with �some disciplinary measures� but was put on leave again June 12 after the district learned of the court filing, school officials said at the time.

The protection from abuse order was filed by the student�s mother on his behalf.

The court documents state Lamontagne engaged in sex acts a number of times with the student �in the classroom, in her car and at her house.� Documents state the student was admitted to Maine Medical Center in Portland June 9 for the ingestion of Tylenol, ibuprofen, cold medicine and Warfarin, a blood thinner. According to documents, the student revealed to his mother and a nurse at the hospital that he loved Lamontagne and he ingested the medications to attempt suicide.

It is a Class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison for a teacher to engage in sexual contact with someone under age 18 who is in their care.

Lamontagne�s next court appearance is scheduled for March 8 for a dispositional conference.