What on earth were officials of the Mount Vernon, Ohio, school district thinking? Were they thinking at all in relation to a controversial science teacher?
Those are valid questions in reaction to the case of John Freshwater, fired recently by the district's Board of Education.
Freshwater had taught science at Mount Vernon Middle School, despite 11 years of complaints about him. Critics said Freshwater used his classes in attempts to indoctrinate students in his religious beliefs.
Even more troubling were confirmed reports that Freshwater used a laboratory device to burn crosses on the arms of some of his students.
School officials' response? A letter asking Freshwater not to do that again.
It took the threat of a lawsuit from one student's parents - along with publicity about the situation - to prompt school officials to fire Freshwater.
Good Lord. We hope and trust that school officials in our area would act more decisively. Teachers who see nothing wrong in branding their students ought to be fired - and prosecuted - immediately. Why Mount Vernon school officials waited 11 years to do anything about Freshwater is simply amazing - and unacceptable.