MOUNT VERNON -- In a decision released this morning, Knox County Common Pleas Court Judge Otho Eyster upheld the Mount Vernon School Board's decision to fire former middle school science teacher John Freshwater. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- The Ohio Department of Education has removed a letter of admonishment from the personnel file of John Freshwater, an eighth-grade science teacher fired from his position at Mount Vernon Middle School in January. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- John Freshwater, fired Mount Vernon Middle School teacher, has petitioned the Ohio Department of Education to have a letter of admonishment removed from his file and to have his teaching license renewed. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Former Mount Vernon teacher John Freshwater is continuing his fight against the educational establishment in Ohio. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- John Freshwater, who, on his own behalf, filed an appeal against the termination of his teaching contract by the Mount Vernon City Schools Board of Education, now has legal representation. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Legal wrangling concerning the termination of John Freshwater's teaching contract by the Mount Vernon City Schools continues. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- On March 8, the Mount Vernon City Schools Board of Education, through its attorney Sarah Moore, filed a response to John Freshwater's appeal of the termination of his teaching contract. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- As far as the Knox County Court of Common Pleas is concerned, the John Freshwater v. the Mount Vernon City Schools Board of Education appeal is closed. The case has been transferred to federal court. (Court documents included) Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- On Tuesday afternoon, John Freshwater, on his own behalf, filed a complaint, which could also be considered an appeal, with the Knox County Common Pleas Court. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- After nearly two hours discussing Ohio School Board Association referee R. Lee Shepherd's report recommending the termination of John Freshwater's teaching contract, the Mount Vernon City Schools Board of Education voted 4-1 to terminate the former middle school science teacher. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- R. Lee Shepherd, hearing referee, has determined the Mount Vernon City Board of Education has "good and just cause"to terminate the teaching contract of suspended middle school teacher John Freshwater. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- The administrative hearing in the matter of the Mount Vernon Board of Education and suspended middle school teacher John Freshwater has been officially closed, according to hearing referee R. Lee Shepherd. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Although it started in 2008 with the suspension of Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater, the drama -- legal wrangling, court actions and Freshwater's contract termination hearing -- continued through 2010. Read More
NEWARK -- Documents obtained from the Licking County Probate/Juvenile Court suggest an end to the civil rights lawsuit filed by the Dennis family against suspended Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater may be in sight. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- On Thursday, the attorney for John and Nancy Freshwater and the lawyers for the Mount Vernon school board, et al., filed a joint document in the U.S. District Court to stipulate, with prejudice, the dismissal of Freshwater's lawsuit against the board, et al. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- On June 9, 2009, John Freshwater filed a civil lawsuit in the U.S. District Court. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Closing arguments, or post-hearing briefs, have been submitted in the matter of the termination of employment of former Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater by the Mount Vernon City Schools. Administrative hearing referee R. Lee Shepherd has many pages of material to review. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- "Simply put, John Freshwater is not credible,"begins the post-hearing brief composed by David Millstone, attorney for the Mount Vernon City Schools. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- The public sessions in the contract termination hearings for suspended Mount Vernon Middle School teacher John Freshwater are over; however, written briefs continue to be filed with hearing referee R. Lee Shepherd. The News has learned that an amicus brief has been filed by Douglas Mansfield as a "friend of the Court." Read More
COLUMBUS -- The U.S. District Court on Friday ruled on motions in the civil case filed by John Freshwater and his wife, Nancy, against the Mount Vernon Board of Education, et al. Read More
COLUMBUS -- Legal wrangling continues in the federal civil suit suspended Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater filed against the Mount Vernon City Schools Board of Education and others. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Timelines with respect to legal issues and lawsuits related to John Freshwater are overlapping, and apparently causing some difficulty for R. Kelly Hamilton, Freshwater's attorney, to meet the respective filing deadlines. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- On Monday, U.S. District Judge Gregory Frost denied a motion by John Freshwater and Attorney Kelly Hamilton and upheld sanctions previously issued. Frost is presiding in the civil case brought against Freshwater by the Doe family. Read More
COLUMBUS -- No decision was rendered Thursday at the evidentiary hearing related to the Doe family lawsuit against John Freshwater. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- The civil suit between the Doe family and John Freshwater has come to an agreement, according to a spokesperson for the clerk of courts for the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division. Read More
COLUMBUS -- Legal maneuvering in matters concerning suspended Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater continue. Read More
COLUMBUS -- Doug Mansfield, the attorney representing the Doe family in a civil suit against suspended Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater, claims Freshwater should face ultimate sanctions for not complying with court orders. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- The hearing of witnesses and presentation of evidence in the John Freshwater contract termination dispute ended Tuesday. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- The contract termination hearing for Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater resumed today with Steve Short, superintendent of the Mount Vernon School District, on the stand. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Tuesday marked the 37th day of testimony in the contract termination hearing of suspended Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater, but, despite statements made last week, it was not the last. The hearing will resume at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 22. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Two experts took the stand Monday afternoon as rebuttal witnesses in the John Freshwater contract termination hearing. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- "Somebody's trying to set me up,"said John Freshwater during Friday's session of his contract termination hearing. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater continues his testimony today in his termination hearing. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- The contents of the mysterious black bag were entered into evidence Thursday afternoon as the contract termination hearing of suspended Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater continued. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Former Mount Vernon Board of Education member Ian Watson remains on the stand this morning during the John Freshwater contract termination hearing. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- In recess since April 30, the John Freshwater contract termination hearing resumed Tuesday. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- After Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater openly discussed a settlement offer from John Doe, et al., in the civil case against him, at the May Mount Vernon School Board meeting, Judge Gregory L. Frost placed a gag order on the case. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- The John Freshwater termination hearing resumed this morning for the first of five scheduled days this month. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Seven more students testified Friday in the contract termination hearing for suspended Mount Vernon Middle School teacher John Freshwater. They attended Freshwater's eighth-period, eighth-grade science class during the 2007-08 school year. Read More
According to Mount Vernon News reporter Pam Schehl, three witnesses have testified so far this morning at the termination hearing of Mount Vernon Middle School teacher John Freshwater. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- The termination hearing of Mount Vernon middle school science teacher John Freshwater will continue on Thursday as an open hearing. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- New developments in the John Freshwater case could leave Freshwater without administration-funded representation a month before a civil suit is scheduled for trial. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- After a hiatus of about three months, the John Freshwater contract termination hearing is scheduled to resume at 9 a.m. on April 29. Read More
COLUMBUS -- U.S. District Court Judge Gregory Frost ruled Thursday that David Millstone should be removed as a defendant in the lawsuit filed in June by suspended middle school science teacher John Freshwater against the Mount Vernon schools. Read More
COLUMBUS -- Nearly two years ago, on June 13, 2008, the Stephen Dennis family of Mount Vernon filed a civil lawsuit with the United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division. The federal suit alleged civil rights violations by the Mount Vernon City School District Board of Education, the superintendent and middle school principal, and currently suspended middle school science teacher John Freshwater. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- A Mount Vernon school board member since January, Paula Barone recused herself from Wednesday's executive session, which was held to discuss the civil suit filed by John Freshwater against the school board and others. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- The Mount Vernon Board of Education will hold a special meeting for purposes of holding an executive session Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. to discuss pending litigation, John Freshwater et al., v, Mount Vernon City School District Board of Education Case No. 2:09 cv 464, with its attorneys. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Suspended Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater continues to receive information and personal belongings from his former classroom from an anonymous source. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- The contract termination hearing for suspended middle school teacher John Freshwater has been delayed -- again. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- The hearing session scheduled this morning in the termination hearing of Mount Vernon Middle School teacher John Freshwater has yet to start as of 10:40 a.m. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Returning for a second day of cross-examination, John Freshwater and school board attorney David Millstone frequently reached an impasse, prompting contract termination hearing referee R. Lee Shepherd to intervene at times. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Ricardo Warren was the first witness during Tuesday's session of the contract termination hearing of suspended Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Rick Warren, a Kenyon College soccer coach, testified this morning in the termination hearing of John Freshwater. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- The defense rested its case to conclude Friday's session of the contract termination hearing for suspended Mount Vernon middle school teacher John Freshwater. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- On Thursday, John Freshwater continued to answer questions during his contract termination hearing. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Following testimony by retired teacher Jim Stockdale, John Freshwater took the stand on his own behalf when his contract termination hearing resumed on Tuesday. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Over the objection of school board attorney David Millstone, Mount Vernon Middle School principal Bill White returned to the stand as Friday's sole witness in the contract termination hearing of John Freshwater. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Ellen Button, eighth-grade reading and science teacher at Mount Vernon Middle School, was the sole witness when the contract termination hearing for suspended MVMS teacher John Freshwater resumed Thursday. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Additional defense witnesses are expected to takethe stand when the contract termination hearing of Mount Vernon middle school science teacher John Freshwater resumes Tuesday. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- The defense continued to call witnesses when the John Freshwater contract termination hearing resumed Friday morning. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- As the contract termination hearing for John Freshwater continued Thursday, former Mount Vernon Middle School assistant, then interim, principal Tim Keib was back on the witness stand. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Dave Daubenmire, president of Pass the Salt Ministries, was the first witness called when the contract termination hearing for suspended Mount Vernon Middle School teacher John Freshwater resumed on Wednesday. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- The Ohio Supreme Court on Wednesday denied the Writ of Mandamus application filed on behalf of suspended Mount Vernon teacher John Freshwater, and dismissed the case. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- The Ohio Supreme Court today granted the Mount Vernon school board's motion to dismiss the Writ of Mandamus application filed on behalf of John Freshwater. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- The contract termination hearing of suspended Mount Vernon Middle School teacher John Freshwater, scheduled to resume Thursday, is again on hold. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- R. Kelly Hamilton, the attorney representing suspended Mount Vernon Middle School teacher John Freshwater, has filed an application for a Writ of Mandamus with the Supreme Court of Ohio. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- The Ohio Revised Code, specifically section 3319.16, lays the legal groundwork for school boards to terminate the contract of teachers employed by the board of education. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- In limbo since May, the contract termination hearing of suspended Mount Vernon Middle School teacher John Freshwater is still on hold. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- In the continuing dispute between John Freshwater and the Mount Vernon City Schools Board of Education, Freshwater's attorney R. Kelly Hamilton filed a petition with the Knox County Common Pleas Court asking that certain individuals be compelled to submit documents and testify in Freshwater's contract termination hearing. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- John Freshwater, the Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher who was suspended by the school board in 2008 for alleged professional misconduct, has amended the $1 million federal lawsuit against the Mount Vernon City School Board and various past and present school officials. The complaint for compensatory and punitive damages now lists Freshwater's wife, Nancy, as a plaintiff. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- In an attempt to force several Mount Vernon school board members to testify at the contract termination hearing for John Freshwater, Freshwater attorney Kelly Hamilton filed a petition with the Knox County Court of Common Pleas on June 2. The petition asked the judge to render a decision to compel their testimony. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- John Freshwater, the Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher who was suspended by the school board in 2008 for alleged professional misconduct, has amended the $1 million federal lawsuit against the Mount Vernon City School Board and various past and present school officials. The complaint for compensatory and punitive damages now lists Freshwater's wife, Nancy, as a plaintiff. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- John Freshwater, the Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher who was suspended by the school board in 2008 for alleged professional misconduct, has filed a federal suit against the Mount Vernon City School Board and various past and present school officials. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- A federal lawsuit was filed on behalf of John Freshwater, eighth-grade science teacher at Mount Vernon Middle School against the Mount Vernon City School District Board of Education, as well as select members of the board, and administrators. Also included in the suit are Thomas and Julia Hurlevi, principals of H.R. on Call, Inc., and unnamed John and Jane Does. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- The Dennis family continued to be the focus of questioning during Friday's session of the contract termination hearing of suspended Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater. Read More
The contract termination hearing of Middle School science teacher John Freshwater resumed this morning. One of the charges against Freshwater is that he allegedly burned a cross on a student's arm during a science experiment. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Zach Dennis was the first witness called by attorney Kelly Hamilton when the contract termination hearing for suspended Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater resumed Thursday. Dennis allegedly was injured by Freshwater during a science experiment. Read More
Zach Dennis was the main witness when the contract termination hearing for John Freshwater resumed Thursday. Dennis reviewed and confirmed his earlier testimony, and demonstrated to the referee the procedure of the electric generator experiment. Read More
Mount Vernon student Zach Dennis was on the stand this morning in the contract termination hearing of Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Additional defense witnesses are expected to take the stand when the contract termination hearing of Mount Vernon middle school science teacher John Freshwater resumes today. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Pastor Stephen Zirkle was the first witness when the contract termination hearing for John Freshwater resumed Thursday. Zirkle is the individual for whom an alleged "healing session"was held following a Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting at the Mount Vernon Middle School on March 18, 2008. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Julia Herlevi, co-owner of HR on Call, the firm which investigated allegations against John Freshwater, was called Friday as a witness in Freshwater's contract termination hearing. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- "That's not Zach's arm,"was the late afternoon bombshell dropped by Ben Nielson during Thursday's contract termination hearing regarding John Freshwater. Nielson was referring to a newspaper photo purported to depict the alleged injury to Zach Dennis'arm caused by Freshwater with a high frequency generator. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- "That's not Zach's arm,"said Ben Nielson, former student of John Freshwater, as he testified late this afternoon in Freshwater's contract termination hearing. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Former Mount Vernon City School superintendent R. Jeff Maley was the first witness called when the contract termination hearing of John Freshwater resumed Wednesday. Read More
Lori Miller, Mount Vernon Middle School seventh-grade math teacher, was Wednesday afternoon's witness in the contract termination hearing of John Freshwater. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Former Superintendent Jeff Maley took the stand this morning in the termination hearing for Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- The John Freshwater contract termination hearing on Friday began with legal wrangling. First, Freshwater's attorney, Kelly Hamilton, called James Baroth to the witness chair. He was planning to have Baroth testify as to an affidavit filed by Baroth's daughter, Melanie Dobson, who resides in Oregon and could not be present at the hearing. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- 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. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- The hearing regarding Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater will resume at 10 a.m. after an adjournment to bring student witnesses to the Knox County Service Center. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- The termination hearing of Mount Vernon Middle School teacher John Freshwater has once again been delayed. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Dr. Patricia Princehouse, lecturer in philosophy and evolutionary biology at Case Western Reserve University, was Friday's sole witness in the contract termination hearing for John Freshwater. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Dr. Patricia Princehouse, lecturer in philosophy and evolutionary biology with Case Western Reserve University, is currently on the stand in the contract termination hearing for John Freshwater. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- How hot do Tesla coils get? Participants and spectators at the contract termination hearing for John Freshwater saw for themselves on Thursday. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- David Millstone, attorney for the Mount Vernon Board of Education called Joseph Faber, assistant professor of biology at Ohio University - Lancaster to the stand this morning as the John Freshwater termination hearing moves forward. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- The cross-examination of Thomas Herlevi, owner of HR on Call, the firm hired to investigate allegations against Mount Vernon teacher John Freshwater, consumed most of Wednesday's hearing. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Kelly Hamilton, attorney for John Freshwater, continues to cross examine Thomas Herlevi this morning. Herlevi is the owner of HR on Call, the firm hired to investigate allegations against Freshwater. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- The contract termination hearing of suspended Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater resumed Tuesday morning with testimony from Dennis Turner, pastor of New Life Community Church in Fredericktown. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Cross examination of Thomas Herlevi, owner of HR on Call, the firm hired by the Mount Vernon Board of Education to investigate allegations against John Freshwater, continued after today's lunch break. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- The termination hearing for Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater resumed today. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- On break since Oct. 31, the employment termination hearing of Mount Vernon middle school science teacher John Freshwater is scheduled to resume Tuesday. The proceedings will again be held in the conference room in the office of the Knox County Commissioners. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Dinosaurs, dragons and Darwin were discussed Friday during the contract termination hearing of suspended Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Simon Souhrada, a 17-year-old junior at Mount Vernon High School, testified this morning in the termination hearing of John Freshwater. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Expert medical testimony was introduced during Thursday's session of the contract termination hearing of suspended Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater. Dr. David Levy, chairman of the department of emergency medicine at St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown, was called as a witness by David Millstone, the attorney for the Mount Vernon Board of Education. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Mount Vernon High School Principal Kathy Kasler took the stand this morning, following Middle School Principal Bill White's testimony. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Another student came forward during Wednesday's session of the contract termination hearing for John Freshwater. The student, now a senior at Mount Vernon High School, testified at the end of the day's proceedings. Upon questioning by David Millstone, the school board's attorney, the student said he had Freshwater as his eighth-grade science teacher and learned, among other things, about electricity and evolution in Freshwater's class. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Mount Vernon Middle School Principal Bill White has been on the stand this morning, testifying in the John Freshwater termination hearing. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- On Tuesday, the contract termination hearing for suspended Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater resumed after a three-week hiatus. The Mount Vernon school board is considering firing Freshwater as a result of allegations of unprofessional conduct. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Jenifer Dennis, the mother of Zach Dennis, the student who testified earlier this morning, took the stand in Mount Vernon science teacher John Freshwater's termination hearing today at the Knox County Service Center. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Zach Dennis took the stand this morning as the John Freshwater termination hearing resumed after more than three weeks. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- As the contract termination hearing for suspended Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater resumes, the Dennis family is speaking out. Originally referred to as the Doe family to protect their anonymity and to prevent negative repercussions, the family wants its side of the story to be told. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- After a three-week hiatus, the employment termination hearing of Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater is scheduled to resume Tuesday. The proceedings will again be held in the conference room in the office of the Knox County Commissioners. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- The contract termination hearing of Mount Vernon middle school science teacher John Freshwater continued Friday with the cross-examination of Mount Vernon School superintendent Steve Short. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- On Friday, after two days of testimony in the termination hearing of suspended Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater, the legal representatives spoke about their impressions of the procedings. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Proceedings involving Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater continued Friday morning with Stephen Short, Mount Vernon schools superintendent continuing his testimony from Thursday. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Space was at a premium for Thursday's hearing regarding the Mount Vernon City School board's resolution of intent to terminate the teaching contract of middle school science teacher John Freshwater. Only 21 spectator seats were available in the hearing room in the offices of the Knox County Commissioners, and a handful of people were waiting as early as 7:30 a.m. to secure a spot. Three Knox County Sheriff's deputies were there for security purposes and to make sure there was clear access to the other county offices in the building. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- The termination hearing for suspended Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater began this morning at the Knox County Service Center. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- R. Lee Shepherd, referee for the John Freshwater termination hearing, has postponed the start of the hearing to Thursday. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- The termination hearing for suspended Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater is tentatively scheduled to begin Wednesday. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Last week, R. Kelly Hamilton, attorney for John Freshwater, filed a counterclaim to the civil lawsuit pending in federal district court. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Not realizing that the termination hearing for Mount Vernon Middle School teacher John Freshwater was rescheduled from the original date of Tuesday to Oct. 1, the Rev. Ted Snyder and his family drove from their home in Rochester, N.Y., to Mount Vernon's Public Square to rally in support of the suspended teacher. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Mount Vernon City Schools Superintendent Steve Short confirmed this morning that the termination hearing of middle school science teacher John Freshwater has been rescheduled. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- On Friday, community members, school administrators, students, teachers and former teachers waited for more than three hours as the Mount Vernon Board of Education, in executive session, debated whether to continue the employment of eighth-grade science teacher John Freshwater. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- The independent investigating firm HR on Call Inc. has completed its investigation into various allegations against Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater. The resulting report describes the scope of the investigation and outlines the investigative process. In addition to reviewing various documents and Freshwater's personnel file, the investigators talked with a number of parents, other staff members, students and Freshwater himself. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- In a recent letter to the Mount Vernon News, M. Russell Erwin Sr., of the Knox County Chapter of Minutemen United, said the group had started preparations to recall the Mount Vernon school board due to its members'refusal to publicly answer whether a teacher in the Mount Vernon school system is permitted to have a Bible on his or her desk. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- A lawsuit was filed Friday in the southern district court on behalf of a student at the Mount Vernon Middle School. The federal suit alleges civil rights violations by the Mount Vernon City School District Board of Education, superintendent Stephen Short, middle school principal William White and science teacher John Freshwater. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Mount Vernon School superintendent Steve Short said this week that the investigation into allegations against middle school science teacher John Freshwater is nearing completion. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- After meeting with Mount Vernon school authorities Wednesday, representatives of the Mount Vernon chapter of Minutemen United have repeated their demand for a public statement on whether a classroom teacher is permitted to have a Bible on his or her desk. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Early this morning, a group calling itself the "Minutemen"waited outside the administrative offices of the Mount Vernon City Schools. The group was reportedly protesting the administration's directive that middle school science teacher John Freshwater remove his personal Bible from his desk. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- A crowd gathered on Public Square, Sunday afternoon, in support of middle school science teacher John Freshwater's right to have a Bible on his desk. . Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Monday's meeting of the Mount Vernon City Board of Education was well attended, and a number of community members addressed the board during the public participation portion of the meeting. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Many Mount Vernon Middle School students have been vocal in their support of science teacher John Freshwater in his claims to a First Amendment right to display a Bible on his desk. But are those students willing to grant someone else equal rights to remain neutral or to disagree? -- May 6, 2008 Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- The official investigation into allegations against middle school science teacher John Freshwater is under way, according to David Millstone, attorney for the Mount Vernon City Schools. -- May 5, 2008 Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Little information regarding allegations against Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater is being divulged by school officials or Freshwater. In an effort to further understand how a student of Freshwater's could be burned during a science experiment, the News met with Dr. Terry Klopcic, director of laboratories at Kenyon College, to discuss Tesla coils and their educational value in the classroom.-- April 29, 2008 Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Reader respond to the Streets question -- April 26, 2008 Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Earlier this week, the Mount Vernon Board of Education announced it was hiring an independent investigator to determine if allegations against middle school science teacher John Freshwater were true. Those allegations include the accusation that Freshwater burned a cross on the forearm of a student while conducting an experiment using an electrostatic device.-- April 25, 2008 Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Educational issues are volatile topics of discussion. Throw religion into the mix and emotions become even more explosive. The dispute between middle school science teacher John Freshwater and the Mount Vernon school administration and school board has spilled over into the community at large-- April 24, 2008. Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- After an extended executive session Tuesday morning, the Mount Vernon City Schools Board of Education and administration decided to have an independent party investigate allegations made against eighth-grade science teacher John Freshwater.-- April 23, 2008 Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- After an extended executive session Tuesday morning, the Mount Vernon City Schools Board of Education and administration decided to have an independent party investigate allegations made against eighth-grade science teacher John Freshwater.-- April 22, 2008 Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater refused to move his Bible from his classroom desk after school officials requested that he do so. At a rally on Public Square on Wednesday, he defended his right to display his personal Bible as a constitutional right. If he's looking for the American Civil Liberties Union to defend him, he could be disappointed. -- April 19, 2008 Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Hundreds of students, joined by some parents and community members, gathered at the Spirit Rock outside of Mount Vernon High School in a show of support for middle school teacher John Freshwater.-- April 19, 2008 Read More
On Friday, Mount Vernon middle and high school student showed their support for middle school teacher John Freshwater and his quest to keep his bible visible in the classroom. -- April 18, 2008 Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Things appeared calm and quiet this morning at Mount Vernon Middle School as students and staff followed their normal routines. -- April 19, 2008 Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Nearly 100 people gathered on Mount Vernon's Public Square on Wednesday afternoon, in a show of support for middle school science teacher John Freshwater. The Mount Vernon City School administration has demanded Freshwater remove a Bible from his desk at school, even though a Bible has been a fixture in his classroom for many years. -- April 17, 2008 Read More
MOUNT VERNON -- Readers submitted their comments. -- April 17, 2008 Read More
Nearly 100 people gathered on Mount Vernon's Public Square on Thursday afternoon, in a show of support for middle school science teacher John Freshwater. The Mount Vernon City School administration has demanded Freshwater remove a Bible from his desk at school, even though a Bible has been a fixture in his classroom for many years. -- April 16, 2008 Read More
1388 days since the story broke.
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