Ohio Teacher Fired for Marking Kids With a Cross

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - A middle school science teacher accused of burning the image of a cross on students' arms has officially been fired.

The Mount Vernon school board voted 4-1 Monday night to accept a state hearing officer's recommendation to terminate John Freshwater.

The Columbus Dispatch reports the firing took effect a few hours later, at midnight.

Freshwater had appealed his earlier firing by the board. An internal investigation found he had preached Christian beliefs in class.

He was also accused of using a scientific device to mark several students with a cross and of keeping a Bible on his desk.

Creationist Teacher Accused of Burning Crosses Into Students' Arms

At a hearing investigating the charges, Freshwater had admitted burning the students. He said it wasn't a religious statement but part of a science experiment.

Freshwater was also said to have repeatedly pushed a creationist agenda, telling students that science wasn't fact and and admonishing homosexuality.

The hearing officer's report issued Friday said Freshwater sowed doubt and confusion in the minds of impressionable students.

Freshwater has not responded to messages for comment.