MOUNT VERNON, Ohio -- A local school board continued an appeal hearing Friday to decide whether a middle-school science teacher should be fired over claims he burned crosses into students' arms and taught creationism.
NBC 4 has followed the story since its beginning in April, and Paul Stelzer reported from the hearing Friday.
The Mount Vernon City Schools board voted to move ahead with John Freshwater's termination earlier this summer.
Freshwater denies the allegations and is fighting to keep his position with the district.
PREVIOUS STORIES:
Sept. 12: Freshwater Faces Board In Contract Hearing
Sept. 12: Freshwater Files A Counterclaim
Aug. 5: Freshwater Speaks To Board, Gets Ovation
July 8: Town Split Over Bible, Teacher's Conduct
June 20: School Board Moves To Fire Mt. Vernon Teacher
April 16: Teacher Refuses To Remove Bible From Desk
Kelly Hamilton, Freshwater's attorney, spent much of the hearing's second day cross-examining district Superintendent Steve Short.
Hamilton tried to undermine the allegations against Freshwater -- allegations that led the school board to recommend termination.
Short and the board said Freshwater used an electrostatic device to burn a cross on a student's arm during a December class.
Short admitted he actually never saw the cross on the student's arm, during questioning by Hamilton, but instead relied on pictures of the arm and alleged cross -- pictures that were provided by the student's parents.
The student complained to his parents that he had trouble sleeping because of pain on his arm.
Short said he doesn't think Freshwater intended to hurt the student.
The board also accused Freshwater of violating school policy by leading prayer sessions while serving as a monitor of Fellowship of Christian Athletes meetings.
In cross-examination, Short conceded he was not aware of any training Freshwater received and said FCA students, not Freshwater, led meetings.
Hearing referee Lee Shepherd said he would submit a written report of his findings to the school board after the hearing was complete and that the board would determine whether Freshwater should be fired.
Stay tuned to NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com for more information on this developing story.
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