Bitterroot residents bring evolution debate to Legislature

By MICHAEL MOORE - Missoulian - 2/07/05

MISSOULA (LEE) — Buoyed by their success in turning back an effort to introduce what they saw as religious education into science classes in Darby, a group of Bitterroot Valley residents will travel to Helena on Monday to support a joint legislative resolution supporting science curriculums based on "sound scientific principles."

"We just want to make sure we stand up for science education across the state, and this represents a good way to do that," said Hamilton's John Schneeberger, who will be part of Monday's contingent, which could number as many as 25.

The occasion is a hearing on a joint Senate resolution introduced by state Sen. Ken Toole, D-Helena. The resolution would recognize the "importance of separation of church and state and (support) the right of local school board trustees to adopt a science curriculum based on sound scientific principles and supported by teachers, parents and the local community."

The resolution, if passed, would not carry legal weight, but might be looked to for guidance by school districts that may face the quandary Darby found itself in last year.

More than a year ago, a proposal came to the Darby School Board from a local minister, who outlined what he called an "objective origins" approach to teaching evolutionary science in Darby science classes.


The proposal was less than specific about what might actually be taught in science classes. Although minister Curtis Brickley said his proposal was strictly about science, many of his supporters saw the proposal as a way to get discussion of divine origins into the classroom. Brickley said he wanted teachers to teach "valid" criticisms of evolutionary theory.

What developed in this vacuum of specifics was a pitched battle between the proposal's supporters and opponents who saw a back-door effort to introduce religion into science.

The Darby School Board was split 3-2 in favor of "objective origins," but before the proposal could reach final passage a board election came up. "Objective origins" was the central rallying point of the campaign. When the votes were tallied, the board's chairwoman, Gina Schallenberger, an ardent supporter of "objective origins," was out of office, replaced by a new board member opposed to the curriculum change.

That election was essentially the end of "objective origins" in Darby, at least for now.

However, similar efforts are cropping up around the country, a move that has motivated efforts such as Toole's resolution.

"This is happening all over the country, so we want to stand behind this resolution and be firm backers of solid scientific education," said Schneeberger.

In addition to declaring support for local school boards to adopt sound science curriculums, the resolution states that the Legislature should "recognize the importance of teaching Montana students about religious traditions, beliefs and history, and encourage inclusion of these topics in religious studies, sociology and history."

Join the debate

The hearing on Sen. Ken Toole's resolution emphasizing the importance of separating church and state will be held at 3 p.m. Monday in the Capitol in Room 303A before the Senate's Education and Cultural Resources Committee.