Friday's John Freshwater contract termination hearing lasted only half a day. Kelly Hamilton, Freshwater's lawyer, tried to enter into evidence affidavits written by former Freshwater students, with the students' parents on hand to testify as the authenticity and veracity of the statements. Hamilton took that route, he said, because of his client's desire to protect the privacy of the students.
The school board's attorney David Millstone objected on the grounds that parents talking for their students would be hearsay and not admissible evidence.
Hearing referee R. Lee Shepherd sustained the objection and recessed the hearing until students could arrive at the hearing to testify in person.
Three teens answered questions about their experiences in Freshwater's science class, speaking specifically to the use of a Tesla coil and whether religion was taught in the classroom.
Due to the unavailability of additional witnesses, the hearing was adjourned until March 20.
