Last night I attended the School Board Forum at Franklin High School.
I thought the candidates did a good job answering questions put to them by the sponsors of the event, and those directly from the audience.
Some were textbook questions with textbook answers; issues already covered from the interviews I had done with the candidates. Other questions were fresh.
I wasn’t planning on commenting on this forum until after the next one, on Monday, March 24th. But, one question came up last night that has me thinking. A member of the audience asked a question of the candidates, and all but one of them didn’t have any insight on the topic. It was an issue that in my opinion, is a very hot topic regarding curriculum in schools, and has been for quite some time.
In fairness, I don’t expect a School Board candidate to know all of the answers. They aren’t in the position yet. Once elected, there is much they will need to learn. I just think this topic is one that, regarding your own child’s education, you, as a parent, would have an opinion in general.
A member of the audience asked the candidates if they would be in support of Intelligent Design being introduced into the Science curriculum. Candidates Dennis Butler, Linda Witkowski, and David Works were not familiar with the term Intelligent Design. After a brief explanation, Butler said he would most likely be in favor of it, if the District would be able to get past legal hurdles. Witkowski, appeared to be in favor, but was questionable of it at this time, and Works would be in favor of it if it was called for. Again, in fairness, I wouldn’t take their answers to heart, as I think they would need to delve further into the meaning of Intelligent Design themselves before giving a concrete answer.
Ed Holpfer was familiar with Intelligent Design and said, personally yes, he would be in favor of it in the science curriculum, but as far as introducing it into our District, it would depend on what the community as a whole would want.
Because the candidates were not familiar with this term doesn’t change my opinion of them. I was just surprised and it makes me think there are many citizens not aware of the possibilities of what may or may not be taught in school.
I blogged about Intelligent Design back in the beginning of December.
Perhaps if the Candidates are looking at the blogs today, this segment may help them to get started on forming an opinion.
Intelligent Design? í here
