Settlement Reached In High Schooler's Suit Against Science Teacher Who Taught Religion In Class

Today's Columbus (OH) Dispatch reports on the settlement of a federal lawsuit brought by the family of a high school student against Mount Vernon, Ohio high school teacher John Freshwater. The lawsuit alleged violations of the Establishment Clause. Copies of the Ten Commandments were posted in Freshwater's classroom. He kept his personal Bible on his desk, and a box of Bibles were stored in the back of the classroom for use by the school's Fellowship of Christian Athletes for which Freshwater served as faculty advisor. The student also alleged a battery growing out of an experiment with a Tesla coil which allegedly left a mark on his arm in the shape of a Christian cross. (See prior posting.) Attorneys for the insurance carrier for the school and teacher have not released details of the settlement, which must still receive court approval. Currently Freshwater is on administrative leave, fighting attempts of the school board to fire him for teaching religion in his science class.