John Freshwater, who has been working as an eighth-grade
science teacher for the past 21 years, will no longer work with the
The science teacher reportedly used an electrostatic device
to mark a cross on the arm of one of his students. The student went through severe
pain and the marks left by the teacher on his arm lasted for about three weeks.
The student’s family already sued the teacher according to the Ohio Department
of Education.
Freshwater reportedly refused several times to remove his Bible from the classroom desk. According to the report, the teacher has been teaching creationism and intelligent design alongside evolution. According to an independent report, Freshwater allegedly told the students attending his class that "science is wrong because the Bible states that homosexuality is a sin and so anyone who is gay chooses to be gay and is therefore a sinner."
The Board of Education of the
Freshwater’s supporters reportedly gathered in a parking lot yesterday asking God to inspire the school board to make the right decision, but a few hours later the decision to terminate the teacher’s employment was announced.
Freshwater will request a hearing before the school board to contest the firing, said his attorney, R. Kelly Hamilton.