CHAPIN, S.C. — A Chapin High teacher faces firing for stomping on an American flag in three classes last month.

The Lexington-Richland 5 school board will decide Monday on dismissal of Scott Compton, an honors English teacher.

Superintendent Stephen Hefner recommended the firing Wednesday.

“The actions that occurred are unprofessional and not consistent with the standards of our district,” Lexington-Richland 5 spokesman Mark Bounds said.

Compton took an American flag off the wall and stomped on it in mid-December as part of a lesson, Bounds said.

The action was not disrespectful of our country but an effort to convey symbolism by showing America “is greater that the material objects that represent it,” said Darryl Smalls, Compton’s lawyer.

Compton sought to generate discussion “using a powerful symbol with which all his students would be familiar,” Smalls said. “He made only positive comments about America throughout the lesson.”

Compton was placed on leave with pay while school officials looked into what happened, after complaints from parents. He has taught at the school seven years, Bounds said.