FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – A Cumberland County teacher suspended for stepping on the American flag in class has been reassigned to work in a warehouse for the district, the superintendent said.
Lee Francis was teaching at Massey Hill Classical High School when he was photographed stepping on the American flag during a lesson about the First Amendment.
Francis was suspended for 10 days without pay after the incident. He later appealed that suspension.
That picture spread widely on social media, resulted in a large backlash against Francis. He said he and his family have even received death threats.
The Cumberland County School Board met Wednesday and decided to uphold the 10-day suspension without pay for Francis.
In an open session segment of the meeting, the board voted and sided with the superintendent with a 5 to 2 vote. Two board members were not present at the meeting.
Superintendent Dr. Frank Till said Francis is still a Cumberland County employee but assigned to a warehouse.
Till will look into the matter after the holidays, he confirmed.
Till said stepping on the American flag is not in the curriculum so Francis should not have done that.
Francis said he feels like he won’t be able to teach again and he will seek other legal remedies.
