[I will bump this post up about once a week so as to always be on the front page. Latest bump: Feb. 15.]<\/p>\n
For your convenience, here is a list of the 12 counties that passed anti-evolution resolutions: Clay, Jackson, Baker, Hamilton, Holmes, St. Johns, Taylor, Madison, Lafayette, Nassau, Washington, and Bay. More information about them can be found in the below text.<\/p>\n
Also of note: one county, Putnam, will consider passing a resolution in the future; one county, Highlands, had considered a resolution, but then abandoned it when citizens spoke out against it; one county, Monroe<\/a>, passed a resolution in favor of the state science standards; and one county, Volusia<\/a>, is on the record as supporting the standards, but didn’t actually pass a resolution.<\/p>\n This post is a reference for any and all pro-science activists out there so you can see where you need to concentrate your efforts when it comes to supporting evolution against anti-scientific “other theories.” These are people who have stated they have a problem with teaching evolution without some type of so-called balance.<\/p>\n What, exactly, is going on? What can you do with this information? You can visit our “Homework Assignment: Evolution Education<\/a>” project web site to learn more and to participate in a Call to Action effort. The folks on this list are making their voices heard. We need to be louder!<\/p>\n State Board of Education ——————– Linda Taylor<\/strong>, member of state BoE who mentioned “other theories” in a St. Petersburg Times education blog Dec. 11<\/a>. (Contact information on our Call to Action addresses page<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Donna Callaway<\/strong>, member of state BoE who does not believe evolution should be taught “to the exclusion of other theories of origin of life,” as stated in the Florida Baptist Witness, Nov. 30<\/a>. (Contact information on our Call to Action addresses page<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Department of Education <\/strong>——————–<\/strong> Selena “Charlie” Carraway<\/strong>, Florida Dept. of Education, Director of the Office of Instructional Materials. Sent e-mail out opposing evolution, as reported in the St. Petersburg Times, Dec. 8<\/a>.<\/p>\n State Congress <\/strong>——————–<\/strong><\/p>\n Rep. Marti Coley<\/strong>, R-Marianna, said constituents have flooded her office with calls, letters and petitions about the evolution standards. She wants evolution to be referred to as a “theory” (in other words, a “guess”) in the science standards, which demonstrates that she has no idea what a scientific theory is. Reported in the Orlando Sentinel Feb. 4<\/a>. (Contact information on Coley here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If it becomes a matter for legislative discussion, then I would have opinions that if it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s going to be presented, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s presented \u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 in a manner that is not potentially exclusive of any other theory,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d including creationism, said Rep. Joe Pickens<\/strong>, R-Palatka, chair of the House Schools and Learning Council. Reported in the St. Petersburg Times education blog, Jan. 29<\/a>. (Contact information on Pickens here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Republican House leader Rep. Will Weatherford<\/strong> said “… evolution is one of the theories.” Reported in the Miami Herald, Dec. 9<\/a>. (Contact information on our Call to Action addresses page<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Senator Stephen Wise<\/strong> attempted to get the state school board to listen to parent activists who are opposed to evolution. Reported in Florida Times Union, Dec. 6<\/a>. (Contact information on our Call to Action addresses page<\/a>.)<\/p>\n County Level <\/strong>——————–<\/strong><\/p>\n Baker County: the school board passed a formal resolution against the inclusion of evolution in the state science standards. School board members Earl Crews<\/strong>, Richard Griffis<\/strong>, Karen McCollum<\/strong>, James Raulerson<\/strong>, Patricia Weeks<\/strong>, and superintendent Paula T. Barton<\/strong>. Reported in the St. Petersburg Times education blog, Jan. 9<\/a>. (Contact information on the board here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Bay County: the school board passed a formal resolution against the inclusion of evolution in the state science standards. Pat Sabiston<\/strong>, Johnny Brock<\/strong>, Jon McFatter<\/strong>, Donna Allen<\/strong>, and superintendent James E. McCalister<\/strong>. Board member Ginger Littleton <\/strong>was the lone voice of reason. Reported by the News Herald, Feb. 13<\/a>. (Contact information on the board here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Clay County: the school board passed a formal resolution against the inclusion of evolution in the state science standards. School board members Carol Studdard<\/strong>, Charles Van Zant, Jr.<\/strong>, Carol Vallencourt<\/strong>, Lisa Graham<\/strong>, Wayne Bolla<\/strong>, and superintendent David L. Owens<\/strong>. Reported in the Florida Times-Union, Jan. 19<\/a>. (Contact information on the board here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Dixie County: superintendent Dennis Bennett<\/strong> wrote a column for the local newspaper casting doubt on evolution and urging people to contact the state board of education. Published in the Dixie County Advocate, Dec. 20<\/a>. (Contact information on Bennett here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Lafayette County: the school board passed a formal resolution against the inclusion of evolution in the state science standards. Robert Koon<\/strong>, school board chairperson, and superintendent Fredric W. Ward<\/strong>. The school district website does not list the board members, so I don’t have a full list. Published in the Suwannee Democrat, Jan. 31<\/a>. (Limited contact information here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Hamilton County: the school board passed a formal resolution against the inclusion of evolution in the state science standards. School board members Damon Deas<\/strong>, Lynn Roberson<\/strong>, J.T. Simon<\/strong>, Joyce Shaw<\/strong>, Don Fenneman<\/strong>, and superintendent Harry J. Pennington<\/strong>. Discovered using an Internet search, Jan. 11<\/a>. (Contact information on the board here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Hillsborough County: school board member Jennifer Faliero<\/strong> says that students shouldn’t be taught evolution only. Reported in the St. Petersburg Times, Dec. 6<\/a>. (Contact information on Faliero here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Holmes County: the school board passed a formal resolution against the inclusion of evolution in the state science standards. School board members Rickey D. Callahan<\/strong>, Gary Scott<\/strong>, Jason Motley<\/strong>, Anthony Register<\/strong>, Vernon Lewis<\/strong>, and superintendent Steve Griffin<\/strong>. Discovered using an Internet search, Jan. 9<\/a>. (Contact information on the board here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Jackson County: the school board passed a formal resolution against the inclusion of evolution in the state science standards. School board members Terry E. Nichols<\/strong>, Kenneth Griffin<\/strong>, Betty B. Duffee<\/strong>, Chris Johnson<\/strong>, Charlotte Gardner<\/strong>, and superintendent Daniel G. Sims<\/strong>. Published in the Jackson County Floridan, Jan. 17<\/a>. (Contact information on the board here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Madison County: the school board passed a formal resolution against the inclusion of evolution in the state science standards. School board members Susie Williamson<\/strong>, Kenneth Hall<\/strong>, VeEtta Hagan-Smith<\/strong>, Clyde Alexander<\/strong>, Bart Alford<\/strong>, and superintendent Lou Miller<\/strong>. Published in the Madison County Carrier, Jan. 18<\/a>. (Contact information on the board here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Martin County: school board member David Anderson<\/strong> said, “I am in no way endorsing the teaching of evolution.” Reported in the Palm Beach Post Dec. 31<\/a>. (Contact information on Anderson here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Nassau County: the school board passed a formal resolution against the inclusion of evolution in the state science standards. School board members Janet Adkins<\/strong>, Gail Cook<\/strong>, Muriel Creamer<\/strong>, Jim Adams<\/strong>, Kathy Burns<\/strong>, and superintendent John L. Ruis<\/strong>. Verified through a phone call to the superintendent’s office, Jan. 29<\/a>. (Contact information on the board here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Okaloosa County: school board member Cathy Thigpen<\/strong> wants other “forms of creation” to be taught. Reported in the Northwest Florida Daily News, Dec. 12<\/a>. (Contact information on Thigpen here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Palm Beach County: one board member was in support of evolution and against intelligent design, while the other six board members refused to comment or return calls. However, Debra Robinson<\/strong> had stated back in 2000 that creationism should be taught with evolution. Reported in the Palm Beach Post Dec. 31<\/a>. (Contact information on Robinson here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Pinellas County: school board members Jane Gallucci<\/strong>, Carol Cook<\/strong>, Peggy O’Shea<\/strong> and Nancy Bostock<\/strong> all want other theories taught. Reported in the St. Petersburg Times education blog, Dec. 17<\/a>. (Apparently, all correspondence must be screened first before it goes to board members. From the contact page<\/a>: “E-mail or mail is first received in the Board office for review and then forwarded to School Board members.”)<\/p>\n Putnam County: newspaper article mentions that Putnam may consider a formal resolution against the inclusion of evolution in the state science standards. However, there is no evidence other than the newspaper article at this time. Published in the Florida Times-Union, Jan. 17<\/a>. St. Johns County: one board member also happens to be president-elect of the Florida School Boards Association, Beverly Slough<\/strong>. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Anybody with half a brain can see that natural selection takes place. But to make great leaps from a fish to a man \u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 the fossil record doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t support all that.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She also said she planned to raise the issue both with her school board and the Florida School Boards Association. Reported in the St. Petersburg Times education blog, Jan. 7<\/a>. (Contact information on Slough here<\/a>.) St. Lucie County: school board members Carol Hilson<\/strong> and John Carvelli<\/strong> either want intelligent design taught or wouldn’t object to it being taught if the community wanted it. Reported in the Palm Beach Post Dec. 31<\/a>. (Contact information on both here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Taylor County: the school board passed a formal resolution against the inclusion of evolution in the state science standards. School board members Mark Southerland<\/strong>, Brenda Carlton<\/strong>, Darrell Whiddon<\/strong>, Danny Lundy<\/strong>, Kenneth Dennis<\/strong>, and superintendent Oscar M. Howard<\/strong>. Reported in the Associated Press Jan. 8<\/a>. (Contact information on the board here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Wakulla County: Beth Mims<\/strong>, director of curriculum, and Greg Thomas<\/strong>, school board member, spoke out against evolution at a public hearing concerning the science standards. Reported in the Tallahassee Democrat, Nov. 10<\/a>. (Contact information on Thomas here<\/a>. Contact information on Mims here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Washington County: the school board passed a formal resolution against the inclusion of evolution in the state science standards. School board members Vann Brock<\/strong>, Wayne Saunders<\/strong>, John Hawkins<\/strong>, Terry Ellis<\/strong>, Susan Roberts<\/strong>, and superintendent Calvin Stevenson<\/strong>. Reported in The Chipley Bugle, Jan. 15<\/a>. (Contact information on the board here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Others <\/strong>——————–<\/strong> Parent activists Kim Kendall<\/strong> and Lynda Follenweider<\/strong> from St. Johns County have been very vocal about their opposition to evolution. They attempted to use a state senator to get before the state board of education to talk about the subject. Reported in the Florida Times Union, Dec. 6<\/a>.<\/p>\n David Gibbs<\/strong>, of the Christian Law Association, wrote a letter and legal memorandum given to state BoE members advocating against “requiring only one particular belief system in Florida classrooms.” Reported in the Florida Baptist Witness Dec. 19<\/a>.<\/p>\n ——————–<\/strong><\/p>\n If you know of anyone who needs to be on this list, or if you find a mistake here, please let me know.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [I will bump this post up about once a week so as to always be on the front page. Latest bump: Feb. 15.] For your convenience, here is a list of the 12 counties that passed anti-evolution resolutions: Clay, Jackson, … Continue reading
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\n<\/strong><\/p>\nHighlands County: a formal resolution against the inclusion of evolution in the state science standards is being considered. School board members Wally Randall<\/strong>, Donna Howerton<\/strong>, J. Ned Hancock<\/strong>, Richard Norris<\/strong>, Andy Tuck<\/strong>, and superintendent Wally Cox<\/strong>.<\/strike> Resolution can be viewed here<\/a>. Published in Highlands Today, Jan. 25<\/a>. (Some contact information on the board here<\/a>.)
\nUpdate: The resolution did not pass! Reported by Florida Citizens for Science members who attended the school board meeting Feb. 5<\/a>.<\/p>\nPolk County: Tim Harris<\/strong>, Margaret Lofton<\/strong>, Hazel Seller<\/strong> and Kay Fields<\/strong>, all school board members, told the Lakeland Ledger they support other theories in the science classroom<\/strike>, Nov. 20<\/a>. Updated: Due to a flood of pro-science correspondence, the school board backed off of their anti-evolution push, Dec. 22<\/a>. (Contact information on all board members here<\/a>. Find the name in the left-hand column and click on it to get the individual bio\/contacts page.)<\/p>\n
\nUpdated: Putnam County will consider an anti-evolution resolution during their Feb. 19 board meeting. Discovered through an internet search, Feb. 14<\/a>. (Contact information on the board here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n
\nSt. Johns Update<\/em>: the school board passed a formal resolution against the inclusion of evolution in the state science standards. School board members Beverly Slough<\/strong>, Tommy Allen<\/strong>, Bill Mignon<\/strong>, Bill Fehling<\/strong>, Carla Wright<\/strong>, and superintendent Joseph Joyner<\/strong>. Reported by FCS member who attended meeting, Jan. 15<\/a>. (Contact information for the school board is here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n
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