Japhia Smith Huhndorf entered her not guilty plea on Wednesday by a remote video hookup from Merced County Jail.
Defense Attorney Ernest Tuttle asked for a reduction in Huhndorf's $500,000 bail to $50,000, but the judge denied the request.
The 34-year-old Livingston High School teacher is charged with one felony count of possessing a destructive device and five counts of felony child abuse. She allegedly gave the anesthetic to three students.
Livingston police say they're still interviewing students who attended Huhndorf's classes.
