The St. Petersburg Times education blog, The Gradebook, wonders how Wednesday’s Senate education committee meeting will go with Senator Storms’ “academic freedom” bill on the schedule.
The committee has seven members – four Republicans and three Democrats – and one of the Republicans, Sen. Stephen Wise, R-Jacksonville, is co-sponsoring Storms’ bill. Two members – Chairman Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, and Sen. Frederica Wilson, D-Miami – have commented about the issue, but not enough to comfortably predict how they will vote. As for the other four, who knows?
The blog then links to an earlier news story that quotes the committee chair.
Sen. Don Gaetz, the Panhandle Republican who chairs the K-12 committee, said he will most likely schedule Storms’ bill for consideration.
“I had hoped the Board of Education would resolve the scientific standards, but obviously the pot is still boiling,” said Gaetz, former Okaloosa school superintendent.
Still, he is cautious.
“I just hope we don’t have the second rendition of the Scopes Monkey trial,” said Gaetz, a self-described Christian, “I don’t think her bill does that. If she wants to truly encourage discussion and debate, then I can be supportive. If it turns into a prescription for a certain religious doctrine, then I have to oppose the bill.”
Looking into my magic 8 ball, I see another Dover type trial here. My question, can “we” sue the stupid senators for trying to get this bill passed?
We’ll see how it goes, Carl. For what it’s worth, I wrote to everyone on the Pre-K-12 Committee (except for Sen. Wise, of course).
Even if they approve the bill – it still has to be approved by the entire senate, right?
I wonder how the BoE will feel about having their toes stepped on.
❓ Has this site been down all afternoon? I couldn’t get on until just now.
I imagine the BOE knows that they are mere pawns. Over half of them are pro academic freedom anyway. What about the higher education committee (I forget what they are called)? The Legislature is trying to screw them out of a job.
If there is ever any more reason to vote Dem this time around…..
FiremanCarl:
No! You are slightly off base there. It’s NOT a Democrat or Republican issue. The true conservative does NOT want to incorporate religiosity into those institution to which WE the people allow them to manage(and a true conservative will cede the teaching of our children etc. etc. to those most able to determine our needs and wants: the people in the state, county and local community. Less government, more power to the people. REmember, we are not a “democracy” but a democratic Republic.
It is, more correctly, a CANDIDATE issue. Becareful what you wish for with a Democrat.! 🙂 You just might get it…