A man who worked as an aide at Horace Mann Middle School has pleaded not guilty to two battery charges in connection with alleged abuse of special needs students. Walter Pannell pleaded not guilty to the charges Tuesday in Kanawha County Circuit Court. His trial was set for Feb. 14. Pannell was among several Horace Mann employees charged after video surfaced in May of the alleged abuse. Several lawsuits have been filed against the Kanawha County Board of Education and those involved.