Motion to Remove Creationist Lesson Plan
Loses in a Close Vote

A motion to remove the Critical Analysis of Evolution lesson plan from the science curriculum was defeated 8-9 at the Ohio Board of Education meeting on January 10, 2006. The motion was sponsored by District 2 board member Martha Wise, of Avon, Ohio. It was not originally on the agenda, but was added as an emergency measure because of the potential for litigation after the Kitzmiller v. Dover decision.

Here's how the school board members voted

Board members were informed of the records obtained by Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Most members seemed unaware that Ohio Department of Education staff scientists had labelled items in the lesson plan as lies and as religiously motivated. Board member Michael Cochran tried to claim this was only hearsay, but quickly fell silent when copies of the staff scientists' notes were passed around.

Several OCS members were present and spoke at the public participation session at the end of the meeting. Because the motion was not an agenda item, there was no opportunity for them to speak before the vote.

During the public participation session, anthropolgy professor and OCS member Jeff McKee spoke on behalf of the Senate of The Ohio State University. Board members Deborah Owens Fink and Michael Cochran took the opportunity to launch a vicious personal attack on Jeff. It was a disgraceful performance.

Another disgraceful performance: Board members Richard Baker and Michael Cochran showed their public disdain for the proceedings by ostentatiously reading newspapers during the proceedings. Fortunately, the Columbus Dispatch captured Baker in the act and plastered the picture on the front page of their January 11 edition:

Richard E. Baker, a member of the State Board of Education, displays his apparent lack of interest in arguments for changing the state's science standards being put forth by fellow board member Martha W. Wise. Baker, who later voted to maintain the current standards, did not speak during yesterday's afternoon session, choosing instead to read the newspaper throughout.
TOM DODGE | DISPATCH

We will be keeping the pressure on. Although it went against us, the creationists seemed to be rattled by the closeness of the vote. Deborah Owens-Fink in particular gave us some good quotes. She linked evolution to atheism and stated that evolution was singled out for critical analysis because "only evolution is taught dogmatically." This should prove useful if there's a trial.

Update

Here are audio files of the debate and public comments. (Links added to this article on March 3, 2007)

Board Debate, Part 1

Board Debate, Part 2

Public Comments, Part 1

Public Comments, Part 2