MOUNT VERNON — The Mount Vernon Board of Education voted unanimously to suspend its teaching contract with eighth-grade science teacher John Freshwater on Monday, pending a hearing scheduled in late August.
“The board finds, in its judgement, the character of the charges against Mr. Freshwater warrant suspension of his teaching contract, pending final action of the termination resolution,” school board president Ian Watson said, reading directly from the resolution.
The board will make a decision whether to terminate the contract after the hearing, which is scheduled for Aug. 26. A group of about 20 people turned out for the special meeting held on Monday, a portion of which was held in closed session.
The Freshwater controversy has attracted national attention and sparked a community debate about religion and education. A number of gatherings have been held in support of Freshwater, who earlier this year refused to follow an order by the school board to remove a Bible from the desk in his classroom. Freshwater said the order was a violation of his First Amendment rights.
An investigation by an independent firm, completed in June, found that Freshwater used an electric device, intended for use in experiments, to burn a cross into a student’s arm, and intermingled religious views and practices with his academic teachings. Freshwater has denied burning a cross, stating that he simply made an “X.”
On June 13, a lawsuit was filed against Freshwater, the school board, the superintendent and the middle school principal in the southern district court of Ohio on behalf of the unnamed student who was allegedly burned. The lawsuit states that Freshwater taught his own religious beliefs and displayed religious materials in the classroom during the 2007-08 school year and was never disciplined. The complaint also alleges that Freshwater burned a cross into the arm of at least two eighth-grade students.
On June 20, the board adopted a resolution of intent to terminate Freshwater’s teaching contract.
An attorney will serve as referee and preside over the August hearing. This person will make a recommendation to the board, and the board will take the recommendation into account before making a decision whether to terminate Freshwater.
If cleared by the referee’s recommendation, Freshwater could return to his teaching position and be eligible for back pay.
Freshwater’s suspension goes into effect at the start of the 2008-09 school year. He will continue to receive insurance benefits as presently provided, pending the outcome of the hearing.
In other business, the board voted to hire Barbara Donohue as school board treasurer for a period of three years, effective Aug. 11.
