Cumberland County Schools won't renew contract of teacher who stepped on flag

Lee Francis was a history teacher at Massey Hill Classical High School when a photo of him standing on an American flag as part of a September lesson on the first amendment went viral on Facebook, causing controversy.

Students said Francis tried to burn and cut the flag before dropping it on the floor. At least two students walked out of the classroom during the demonstration.

Francis was suspended from teaching at the school one day after the lesson.

One Wednesday afternoon, Francis met with Cumberland County Superintendent Frank Till and the Associate Superintendent for Human Resources. The pair decided against renewing Francis’ contract at the end of the year.

“The point of the lesson was to assure students, one, what their rights are; to let them know what their rights are. And now, the message has been to let people know that they have the access to think critically, to be inspired, to provoke thought even if it challenges the beliefs of another,” Francis said.

Francis said he will deliver the same first amendment lecture that was taught in the classroom to a large gathering on Nov. 16, but he will not be using the flag in the demonstration.