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Posted: 8/27/2009 10:19:28 AM

Settlement reached in lawsuit against school district

By ADAM TAYLOR
KnoxPages Managing Editor

MOUNT VERNON – A settlement agreement has been reached between the Mount Vernon City School District and the family of a boy who alleged he was burned with a tesla coil during a science experiment in 2007.


The district’s insurer has agreed to pay $5,500 to the family of the Mount Vernon Middle School eighth grader who alleged that his teacher, John Freshwater, burned a cross-shaped mark into his arm with a BD-10A Electrostatic Generator, according to a news release from the board of education. The company will also pick up the tab on the boy’s legal fees, which came in at $115,500.


The settlement means the student’s federal lawsuit against the Mount Vernon City School’s Board of Education, Superintendent Steve Short and MVMS Principal William White will be dismissed.


“There have been no admissions of liability by the board, superintendent and middle school principal,” said a news release.


The resolution of the lawsuit does not affect an administrative hearing where Freshwater, who is under unpaid suspension, is disputing the board’s decision to terminate him for the science experiment and allegations that he pushed his Christian beliefs in the classroom.


Freshwater has since filed a federal lawsuit against the district.

Terms of the settlement will prevent any staff members from discussing the Freshwater lawsuit with members of the boy’s family and teachers in the future will have to attend classes on First Amendment, religion and public education.

Board members and administrators would not comment further, according to the news release.

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May 19, 2013
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May 21, 2013
7:00:00 PM
- Book Discussion: Assassination Vacation
Location:
- Public Library of Mount Vernon, 201 N. Main Street
Description:
- As the summer vacation season begins, the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County will discuss “Assassination Vacation,” by Sarah Vowell at its next adult book discussion on Tuesday, May 21, 7:00 p.m. at the main library, 201 N. Mulberry Street. The discussion will be led by Linette Porter-Metler, PLMVKC Community Relations. Author Vowell has been described as a “cross between Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jon Stewart and Wednesday Addams” with her talent for detail, trivia and her quirky wit—whether in person, as a regular figure on television, radio or the movies, or by her writing. In this hard-to-put-down book, she shares her personal pilgrimage to learn more about the events people and places associated with the assassination of three American presidents: Lincoln, McKinley and Garfield. She takes her readers (as she takes her friends and family) through her own journey to historical enlightenment in this story of discovery and obsession. The program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Participants will be eligible to win a copy of the June adult book discussion book, “Swamplandia,” by Karen Russell, donated by Friends of the Library. Free copies of the book are available at the main or branch libraries, or can be purchased at local bookstores including Paragraphs Bookstore, Colonial Books and Kid’s Shelf, and Kenyon College Bookstore.

May 22, 2013
6:30:00 PM
- Free Movie Night - "Silver Linings Playbook"
Location:
- Public Library of Mount Vernon, 201 N. Main Street
Description:
- The Academy Award film "Silver Linings Playbook" (rated R) will be the free movie night feature on Wednesday, May 22, 6:30 p.m. at the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County. The romantic comedy-drama, starring Jennifer Lawrence, Robert DeNiro and Bradley Cooper, walks a tightrope between pure entertainment and an insider’s look at a family struggling with mental health issues as they look for the silver lining in the eccentricities of everyday life. Due to language and adult theme, no one under age 17 will be permitted to attend unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. Free popcorn. For information, stop by the main library at 201 N. Mulberry Street, call 740-392-BOOK (2665) Ext. 243, visit www.knox.net or email communityrelations@knox.net.

May 23, 2013
10:00:00 AM
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Location:
- Station Break, 160 Howard Street, Mount Vernono
Description:
- Wednesday, May 23rd, NAMI of Knox/Licking Counties offers FREE depression screenings, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 N, at Station Break Senior Center, 160 Howard Street, Mount Vernon. Call 740-397-3088.

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