Austintown trustees held their first meeting since Trustee Steve Kent was charged with sexual battery out of Poland.

This regular trustee meeting came on the same day Kent appeared in court to answer to the charges.

Kent was in attendance at the trustees meeting and the meeting began with business as usual.

During public comments two residents addressed Kent.

"The only thing I could ask you to do, I was born and raised in this community, we've had enough black eyes and we don't need no more," said Gene Schonce. "I am asking you, in my opinion, to step down or step back until things get straightened out on your side."

"As a life long resident of Austintown, I think the news media and everything that is going on you should step down," said Stephen Terlecki. "I don't say leave, because we've got to let the law proceed, which follows up with the jury and the end result."

Earlier on Monday, Kent appeared in Mahoning County court. He plead not guilty to three counts of sexual battery and one count of tampering with evidence. All four charges relate to his time as a Poland school resource officer. A position he was fired from in March.

The sexual battery charges allege that Kent - while a resource officer - engaged in sexual contact with a person who was enrolled or attended the school.

After his appearance in court, Kent self reported to the Mahoning county jail where he was booked and released on a $50,000 bond.

Last week, when asked, Austintown trustees Robert Santos and Monica Deavers both declined to comment on Kent's charges.

During the public meeting, the board motioned to recess into Executive Session. It's not clear what exactly is being discussed in the executive session but trustees said it applied to the employment, discipline or compensation of a public employee and/or negotiations regarding public employees.

We have a reporter in attendance. Stay with 21 News for the latest developments.