Chapin Teacher's Employment to be Discussed Monday

Lexington-Richland 5's school board is expected to hear the superintendent's recommendation tonight concerning a Chapin High teacher's employment after a classroom lesson drew complaints from some parents.

Superintendent Dr. Stephen Hefner is recommending the firing of Scott Compton, an Honors English teacher, after he stomped on an American flag during three classroom lessons in December, said Mark Bounds, the district's public information officer.

Compton has taught in the district for seven years.

District officials received complaints from parents before the holiday break and Compton was placed on leave with pay while an investigation was held, Bounds said. 

After the investigation was complete, school officials deterimined the best course of action was termination of employment.

"As a teacher, you can't bring personal bias in the classroom," Bounds said. 

Compton's attorney, Darryl Smalls, has said his client's lesson was not done to be disrespectful.

In a WIS-TV report, Smalls said his client was "only trying to create a forum for discussion using a powerful symbol with which all his students would be familiar."

Smalls also said he was trying to show students that America is an "inspirational idea," greater than the "material objects that represent it," the report read. 

The board will meet in executive session tonight at 5:30 p.m. at Chapin High School prior to the regular meeting at 7 p.m.

See the full agenda for tonight's meeting in the attached PDF.