A former New Life Schools employee accused of possessing child pornography and soliciting a minor has been released on a $15,000 secured bond.

Fifty-one-year-old David James Fisher, who formerly served as an athletic director and a special needs instructor at the school in southern Cumberland, is set to appear in Amelia Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court on Feb. 29 at 10 a.m. for a preliminary hearing.

Fisher was arrested on Oct. 27 in Cumberland County.

The 51-year-old suspect — an Amelia County Public Schools employee at the time of his arrest — is charged with possession of child pornography and soliciting a person under the age of 18 to be the subject of child pornogaphy, according to a release from the Amelia County Sheriff’s Office.

The charges originated in Amelia County, according to the release.

“David was with the New Life Learning Center for two years,” New Life School’s Administrative Principal Betty Weaver said.

“The employee involved in this situation was immediately removed from the school pending further investigation,” said Amelia County Public Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Jack McKinley.

“We are cooperating with [police] fully in [the] investigation. We cannot comment further at this time because it involves an open investigation and a personnel matter, but we want to ensure parents, staff and the community that the Amelia County Public School system is committed to the safety of our students.”