ROCKLAND – A Rockland District Middle School teacher has been charged with assaulting three female pupils, police said Thursday.

Warner Vaughan, 54, of St. George, who has taught in SAD 5 for 25 years, was summoned on three counts of simple assault, said Deputy Police Chief Wallace Tower. He described the allegations as “offensive physical touching.”

Tower said police investigated Vaughan after reports by parents earlier this month. Vaughan was charged Monday, but Rockland police did not disclose the charges until Thursday.

“The accusations are totally false,” Vaughan said Thursday when contacted at his home. He declined further comment.

The three counts of assault were of an “offensive physical touching” nature, Tower said. He declined to provide details. According to Tower and a court clerk, no police affidavit has been filed in 6th District Court.

On Thursday, SAD 5 Superintendent Donald Kanicki said that after reviewing the complaints and talking with police and the school district’s attorney, the district decided to place Vaughan on paid administrative leave March 10, pending the outcome of the charges.

On March 4, one day after a parent reported the matter to police, the parent met with the principal and later with the superintendent, Kanicki said.

When contacted Thursday, Kanicki was unaware that two more female pupils were involved.

Because the case is a legal matter and under investigation by police, neither Kanicki nor the school’s principal, Tom Mellor, could comment on any details of the allegations, they said. The ages of the alleged victims or the grades they are enrolled in were not released.

Vaughan has had no complaints filed against him during his long tenure in SAD 5, Kanicki said. He teaches sixth grade.

“It took all of us by surprise,” Kanicki said. “This has been a complete shock for all of us.”

SAD 5 comprises Rockland, South Thomaston and Owls Head.