North Carolina teacher suspended for stomping on U.S. flag

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- A North Carolina high-school teacher said he has been placed on leave after students say he stepped on an American flag as part of a history lesson.

The Fayetteville Observer reported Massey Hill Classical High School teacher Lee Francis said he was informed of his status by the Cumberland County Schools human-resources department.

Francis said he's scheduled to meet with system officials Thursday to discuss the incident stemming from a lesson in his history class.

News media outlets quote students as saying Francis asked students for a lighter or scissors, and when no one produced them, he put the flag on the floor and stomped on it.

Reports quote Francis as saying on his Facebook page he was discussing a court case involving flag desecration.