Teacher Accused Of Displaying Bible Sues District

[The Straight Story]

Teacher Accused Of Displaying Bible Sues District
Wednesday, June 10, 2009 4:27 PM

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Mount Vernon teacher fired over accusations that he preached Christianity in class says in a $1 million lawsuit that his free speech and civil rights were violated.

John Freshwater, who taught middle school science, also said he was harassed because of his religion, was defamed and suffered a hostile work environment.

The Mount Vernon school board created a work situation that allowed Freshwater "to be harassed by both administrators and co-workers on account of his religion," according to the lawsuit against the board and school administrators filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Columbus.

A message was left with Superintendent Steve Sharp on Wednesday seeking comment.

The Mount Vernon school board fired Freshwater last year, citing an internal investigation that found he had preached his Christian beliefs in class.

Freshwater was also accused of using a scientific device to burn a cross image onto a student's arm and of keeping a Bible on his desk.

http://www.10tv.com/live/content/local/stories/2009/06/10/story_freshwater.html?sid=102

[Peregrine]

1. If interested go to Pandas Thumb for more information

has notes from the administrative hearings. Freshwater also is accused of using a Tesla coil to burn a cross on a student's arm and overstepping the role of sponsor for the xian athletes, as well as the bible thumping he did in his classroom. He had code words that the students would call out as they went through the science book to show that the book was wrong.