Former Statesboro High School Principal Dr. Martin "Marty" Waters, charged with failure to report child abuse, will face trial in early January.

Waters resigned from his position as Statesboro High School principal in May after his arrest on the misdemeanor charge.

He is accused of failing to report in a timely manner information he allegedly received that one of two assistant coaches, each charged with sexual misconduct with students, had had inappropriate contact with female students.

Statesboro police said Waters knew since March about suspected child sexual abuse between assistant girls soccer coach Jeffrey Tyler Crowder, 25, and a 16-year-old female student.

Crowder was arrested April 30 and charged with felony sexual assault, two days after police were given information about an inappropriate relationship. He was granted a conditional bond in July requiring him to live with his mother, not break any laws, post a $30,000 cash or property bond and not set foot in Bulloch County unless attending court hearings, until the case is closed.

Assistant football coach Luke Edward Parks, 26, was arrested May 1 and charged with felony sexual exploitation of children and sexual assault, also involving a reported inappropriate relationship with a different 16-year-old female student.

Parks has not yet been indicted on those charges. His case is not linked to Crowder's, police said.

According to information from the Bulloch County Clerk of Courts Office, jury selection for Waters' trial will be Jan. 5, with the trial to begin later that day or on Jan. 6, depending on how long it takes for a jury to be picked.

Waters submitted a letter of resignation, which was approved by the Bulloch County Board of Education during its May 22 meeting. The board had already voted on a list of contract renewals for principals for the 2014-15 year that did not include Waters.

The trial will be held in Bulloch County State Court at the Bulloch County Courthouse.

Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.