It’s been a while since I’ve written about John Freshwater, the middle school science teacher who was accused of burning crosses into his students’ arms and teaching Creationism.
Since his firing in 2008, he’s been on “unpaid administrative leave pending an appeal.”
On Thursday, though, Freshwater dropped his lawsuit.
Freshwater had sought $1 million in the 2009 lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Columbus, arguing that his free speech and civil rights were violated. He also asked a judge to reinstate him to his position as an eight-grade teacher.
…
The document filed Thursday did not indicate whether a settlement had been reached.
The voice mail of Freshwater’s attorney was not accepting messages, and an e-mail was not immediately answered.
According to the Columbus Dispatch today, the school district didn’t offer him a settlement.
The suit is not ending because of a settlement, said attorney Sarah Moore, who represents the district in the civil case. “I can confirm there was no settlement, and we’re not expecting any.”
I can’t see how “burning a cross” into students’ arms could be misconstrued, but even if that was just some horrible misunderstanding, there’s no excuse for any competent science teacher to be teaching Creationism.
No one who does that ought to be working in a public school.
(via @antiheroine)
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