Teacher accused of burning cross on student's arm and of teaching creationism

This story is making the rounds:

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio (AP) - A public school teacher preached his Christian beliefs despite complaints by other teachers and administrators and used a device to burn the image of a cross on students' arms, according to a report by independent investigators.
Mount Vernon Middle School teacher John Freshwater also taught creationism in his science class and was insubordinate in failing to remove a Bible and other religious materials from his classroom, the report said.

[ ... ]

But Lynda Weston, the district's director of teaching and learning, told investigators that she has dealt with complaints about Freshwater for much of her 11-year term at the district, the report said.

Some say the image, burned using a high-frequency generator, is an X, not a cross. See what you think.

Three things I don't get:

1. Why isn't Freshwater facing criminal charges over the alleged cross burn?

2. Second, did it really take a student's parents' lawsuit to draw attention to a problem like this?

3. And third, they're telling me he was still teaching there after eleven years of complaints?

Never mind Freshwater (the courts can deal with him). A few other heads should be rolling and bouncing along the corridors at this point.

But just watch them try to deflect the major issue (allegedly barbecuing his students) by highlighting the comparatively minor hot-button issue (creationism in the classroom).

Note: If the owner of the sauce image objects to my using it, I will remove it. This sauce strongly recommended by yours truly, but not for use on students. Use this one on students, as they are very tender.


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