Ohio court to hear teacher Bible appeal

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The Ohio Supreme Court has agreed to hear the appeal of a fired public school science teacher who was accused of preaching religious beliefs in class and of keeping a Bible on his desk.

The Mount Vernon School Board dismissed John Freshwater last year after investigators reported that he preached Christian beliefs in class when discussing topics such as evolution and homosexuality.

Freshwater also was accused of using a science tool to burn students' arms with the image of a cross, but that allegation was resolved and not a factor in his firing.

The Supreme Court's 4-3 decision Thursday to hear Freshwater's appeal of his firing sets the stage for written and oral arguments before the court later this year.

Two lower courts previously upheld the dismissal.