TUSCOLA, Texas (AP) - A teacher in Tuscola (tuhs-KOH'-luh) initially put on leave over a book dispute is charged with trying to have sexual contact with three students.

The indictment says 26-year-old Kaleb Tierce, who's free on $30,000 bond, asked one of the girls what she'd do to get a better grade.

Tierce was indicted on three counts of attempted improper relationship between educator and student, a felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison.

Tierce turned himself in Friday.

His attorney did not immediately comment over the alleged 2005 incidents.

Tierce taught English and was an assistant football coach at Jim Ned High School in Tuscola.

A 14-year-old student's parents had filed a complaint, saying Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Cormac McCarthy's "Child of God" was too graphic for teens.

The Abilene Reporter-News says trustees in March voted not to renew Tierce's contract.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
AP-NY-10-13-08 1809EDT