MARIETTA - Frank Robinson, the Lassiter High School counselor and assistant girls basketball coach who has been accused of inappropriately touching a 17-year-old student in his office, will state his case at a Cobb School District tribunal hearing today at 9 a.m.

The tribunal, which is generally made up of three school board members and officiated by a district appointed lawyer, will hear Robinson's case and advise whether he be terminated at the recommendation of Superintendent Fred Sanderson. School board members Lynnda Crowder-Eagle, Holli Cash and John Abraham will serve as Sanderson's appointed panelists.

According to Robinson's arrest warrant, the female basketball coach "did intentionally make physical contact with the intimate parts of the body of a 17-year-old female without her consent" around 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 8. Robinson was arrested on Dec. 19 and charged with sexual battery. He posted a $5,000 bond later that day and was released from jail.

In a letter of termination to Robinson, Sanderson further detailed the incident saying that the female student was meeting with Robinson in his office that day regarding a scheduling change. During this encounter Robinson, 45, allegedly told the victim, "You owe me," and then proceeded to fondle her over her clothes, according to the letter.

The letter goes on to say that the day after the incident the student told a male friend and Lassiter High School teacher, Melanie Nix. Nix then notified administrators of the allegations.

During the school district's investigation of Robinson, district officials attempted to administer polygraph tests to both Robinson and the student. Sanderson's letter said the student took the test and passed, but Robinson refused.

Also during the investigation, another female high school student came forward claiming that the counselor had made several sexually suggestive comments to her throughout the school year, according to the letter.

Warren C. Fortson, a lawyer in Atlanta, will represent Robinson at today's hearing. Fortson served as the Atlanta City Schools attorney from the 1970s to the 1990s, and also represents former North Cobb High School principal Dr. Lawrence Bynum, who was fired in October 2008 following allegations of sexual harassment.

Fortson will be allowed to subpoena witnesses and provide documents on Robinson's behalf.

Linda Fortson, Fortson's legal assistant, said on Wednesday that Robinson is "denying that he did anything inappropriate to anybody ever."

"He is a beloved counselor, a beloved coach and he has this tremendous support for a reason," Linda Fortson said. "And that's because he's made such a difference in the lives of students at Lassiter."

After Robinson was arrested, two Lassiter High School students started a page on Facebook in support of the counselor. As of Wednesday night, the page had more than 1,000 members. Fortson also said Robinson has received tremendous support from students, parents, teachers and former students. Following his arrest, a number of students rallied outside the east Cobb high school in support of their coach.

According to school district spokesman, Doug Goodwin, the hearing is expected to last all day and into Friday, since the district plans on calling a rather lengthy list of witnesses. Among the witnesses listed in Sanderson's letter to Robinson are the student; the male friend she confided in; Nix; Lassiter Principal Chris Shaw; Mary Finlayson, the district's investigation manager; the student who Robinson allegedly made suggestive comments to; and several other Lassiter students and parents whom Robinson allegedly contacted seeking support during his time of leave.