The Mount Vernon school board voted 5-0 Friday to pass a resolution of intent to terminate the contract of middle school teacher John Freshwater.
Freshwater is an 8th grade science teacher accused of preaching his Christian beliefs in class and using a device to burn the image of a cross on students' arms.
The board's attorney David Millstone says Freshwater is entitled to a hearing to challenge the dismissal.
A lawyer for Freshwater says he will request a hearing.