OCALA, Fla. (AP) - A Florida middle school teacher may lose his job after authorities say he bullied and harassed students who are raising livestock to be sold for slaughter at a local youth fair.
Marion County Superintendent of Schools Heidi Maier on Tuesday recommended firing 53-year-old Thomas Roger Allison Jr., who teaches science at Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks near Ocala. In a letter documenting the case, Maier said Allison has called the Future Farmers of America students "murderers" for participating in the program.
The Ocala Star-Banner reports Allison is also accused of harassing the group's teacher adviser and encouraging his honors science students to harass FAA members.
Allison has denied the allegations and said he'll fight for his job. He is on unpaid leave pending a school board hearing.
