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11 years?

fff

Well-known member
A Mount Vernon teacher undermined science instruction in the public school district by discrediting evolution in his classroom and focusing on creationism and intelligent design, a probe has found.

Eighth-graders who were taught by John Freshwater frequently had to be re-taught in high school what they were supposed to have learned in Freshwater’s class, according to outside investigators hired by the district.

For 11 years, other teachers in the school district and people in the community complained about Freshwater preaching his Christian beliefs in class and slamming scientific theories, a school administrator told investigators.

“There is a significant amount of evidence that Mr. Freshwater’s teachings regarding subjects related to evolution were not consistent with the curriculum of the Mount Vernon City Schools and state standards,” the consultants reported.

Freshwater had been told to stop teaching intelligent design and creationism, but he continued, the report found.

HR on Call Inc., the consultants who investigated allegations against Freshwater, released their findings today. Mount Vernon school board members will meet today to discuss the report and decide what, if any, action they will take.

The report confirms that Freshwater burned crosses onto students’ arms, using an electrostatic device, in December. Freshwater told investigators the marks were Xs, not crosses. But all of the students interviewed in the investigation reported being branded with crosses. The investigation report includes a photo of one student’s arm with a long vertical line and a short horizontal line running through it.

The family of one student who was burned filed a federal lawsuit last week against Freshwater and the district, saying the student’s civil rights were violated.

Today, the family’s attorney, Jessica Philemond, said it was unfortunate that the school district didn’t do anything sooner to stop Freshwater.

“These concerns had been going on for at least 11 years and the school had not done anything,” she said.

A teacher who worked in Freshwater’s classroom last year also reported to investigators that Freshwater told his class that homosexuality is a sin.

Neither Freshwater nor his attorney, Roger Weaver, could be reached for comment last night. Freshwater’s friend, Dave Daubenmire, defended him.

“With the exception of the cross-burning episode … I believe John Freshwater is teaching the values of the parents in the Mount Vernon school district,’’ he said.

Daubenmire is a former London High School football coach whose district was sued in 1999 by the American Civil Liberties Union because he led his players in prayer at games, practices and meetings.

“Do you think there are other teachers in the public classroom that are trying to drive their opinions in the classroom?’’ Daubenmire asked. “I don’t care who you are. You cannot separate your value system from your teaching.’’

The debate about Freshwater’s actions became public in April after he refused to remove a Bible from his desk, as the district had ordered.

The report says he was insubordinate for failing to remove the Bible and other religious materials from his classroom but also found other issues about his teaching and behavior.

http://dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/06/19/mtvernon.html?sid=101
 

Goodpasture

Well-known member
Burning crosses into students arms? What a guy! Certainly something Jesus would have done.........at least the Republican one........the real Jesus would forgive him for it though.
 

hopalong

Well-known member
Goodpasture said:
Burning crosses into students arms? What a guy! Certainly something Jesus would have done.........at least the Republican one........the real Jesus would forgive him for it though.

Just where does Any party line come into play here ??
Why does a PARTY have to be associated with such a thought or act?
Grow up and smell the roses Goofpasture, not every act is of that of the republician party or any politcal affilation!!!!
Go drink some more Kool-Aid!!!!
Your are sick!
 

fff

Well-known member
hopalong said:
Goodpasture said:
Burning crosses into students arms? What a guy! Certainly something Jesus would have done.........at least the Republican one........the real Jesus would forgive him for it though.

Just where does Any party line come into play here ??
Why does a PARTY have to be associated with such a thought or act?
Grow up and smell the roses Goofpasture, not every act is of that of the republician party or any politcal affilation!!!!
Go drink some more Kool-Aid!!!!
Your are sick!

It's the REPUBLICANS who push the Creationist agenda. Do you honestly want to suggest this wacko is a Liberal Democrat? :lol:
 

hopalong

Well-known member
fff said:
hopalong said:
Goodpasture said:
Burning crosses into students arms? What a guy! Certainly something Jesus would have done.........at least the Republican one........the real Jesus would forgive him for it though.

Just where does Any party line come into play here ??
Why does a PARTY have to be associated with such a thought or act?
Grow up and smell the roses Goofpasture, not every act is of that of the republician party or any politcal affilation!!!!
Go drink some more Kool-Aid!!!!
Your are sick!

It's the REPUBLICANS who push the Creationist agenda. Do you honestly want to suggest this wacko is a Liberal Democrat? :lol:

Is that what you you read in my post???
For crying outloud ff fff disagreable frankie, can't you read!!!!!!!

My statment was directed to show where ANY PARTY supported things like this! Please show me where I placed any blame on a liberal democrat or any party! Go drink more kool aid!
 

Goodpasture

Well-known member
hopalong said:
My statment was directed to show where ANY PARTY supported things like this!
Um, let see......the Christian Right will support 1) Republicans or 2) Democrats? Who is trying to cater to the Christian Right? 1) McCain? or 2) Obama?

Yep, looks like Republicans get the honors............

Most folks can see it. Are you being deliberately obtuse? Or knowingly ignorant?
 

hopalong

Well-known member
Goodpasture said:
hopalong said:
My statment was directed to show where ANY PARTY supported things like this!
Um, let see......the Christian Right will support 1) Republicans or 2) Democrats? Who is trying to cater to the Christian Right? 1) McCain? or 2) Obama?

Yep, looks like Republicans get the honors............

Most folks can see it. Are you being deliberately obtuse? Or knowingly ignorant?

Oh ok I get it! now. It makes no dfference as long as you can take a dig at the Republican party!
Now as I asked before show WHERE the Republican party supports the above action. :roll: :roll:
Are you being knowingly evasive, or deliberately refusing to adress the question asked?
Your attempts at insult roll off my back knowing who is attempting to insult is only refusing to answer the question, there for using the age old change the subject routine.
 

aplusmnt

Well-known member
fff said:
hopalong said:
Goodpasture said:
Burning crosses into students arms? What a guy! Certainly something Jesus would have done.........at least the Republican one........the real Jesus would forgive him for it though.

Just where does Any party line come into play here ??
Why does a PARTY have to be associated with such a thought or act?
Grow up and smell the roses Goofpasture, not every act is of that of the republician party or any politcal affilation!!!!
Go drink some more Kool-Aid!!!!
Your are sick!

It's the REPUBLICANS who push the Creationist agenda. Do you honestly want to suggest this wacko is a Liberal Democrat? :lol:

I hate to tell you, but I think the churches are full of Democrats also!

I could care less what the guy is, he is an idiot if the story is true. I do not want a teacher teaching my kids about religion any more than I want them teaching my kid people came from Apes.

I have no problem if they present the theory of Apes as long as they mention the theory of creation. Both are theories, either both belong or neither! Keep the details of trying to prove either out of the curriculum since neither can be proven 100% from a text book.

Ps. If he is a Republican then I guess he is the Yin to the Yang of far left loonies like you and goodpasure :wink:
 
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