OUR last post about science education in Georgia was Evolution: Georgia On My Mind, in which we discussed state school Superintendent Kathy Cox — who had previously tried to remove all references to evolution and the Big Bang from the science curriculum. We quoted a Cox aide as saying:
“I think you can do without science.”
We now return to that state to learn what’s been going on. In the Times-Georgian, a daily newspaper serving Carrollton, Georgia — the county seat of Carroll County in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains — we read No change in county BOE millage rate. Here are some excerpts, with bold added by us:
The Carroll County Board of Education voted Thursday not to increase property taxes this year … . In other news, the school system will be receiving seven new buses from the state …
Before we lose you all, let’s get right to the creationism. Here we go:
Also discussed at the meeting, Bob Staples, a member of the Villa Rica Church of Christ, asked the board members to consider researching, evaluating and taking a position on the issue of teaching evolution compared to creation in the schools.
We checked. Villa Rica, population 4,134 at the last census, is located in Carroll County. Here’s the church’s website. Let’s read on:
“Evolution is a theory in crisis and harmful to our progress,” he said. “We have been either created by God or are the result of naturalistic evolution.” He said the teaching of evolution has grown to the point of excluding creationism.
Jeepers, we had no idea things had gone so far in Georgia. This is serious stuff! We continue:
“There is no evidence of evolution happening in the past. … Evolution is not a fact, but is taught as a fact in many educational settings,” Staples said. “Belief in creation and a global flood are consistent with the facts of science.”
Powerful testimony! What was the school board’s reply? Let’s find out:
Rogers [Kathy Rogers, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning] said there are units in seventh and eighth grade that teach evolution, and it is required for the students to meet the Georgia standards in tests.
That’s it? That’s all the response they gave to Bob Staples? Wait — then someone else offered this:
Superintendent Scott Cowart said a chart could be compiled listing what is required compared to what is offered and presented to the board.
A chart? Good ol’ Bob Staples pointed out that evolution is a theory in crisis, with no evidence, and it’s crowding out creationism. All they could do is offer him a chart? This is an outrage!
That’s where the article ends. We are left to assume that the meeting concluded on that note of confusion.
Copyright © 2010. The Sensuous Curmudgeon. All rights reserved.
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
The Sensuous Curmudgeon 
I have this vision of Bob as one of the Monte Python characters wearing a handkerchief on his head and speaking very slowly (but loudly)… and the council just wanted to adjourn the meeting and get out of there.
Good for them.
Dear Bob Staples,
Thank you for leaving statements in the public record that will – should your preferred policy be enacted – single-handedly win the legal case for good science.