Intelligent design discussion put on hold

Deirdre Newman

NEWPORT-MESA -- For the second time, trustee Wendy Leece has been

denied the opportunity to present to her colleagues information about a

scientific alternative to evolution.

On April 23, the board was set to schedule a study session for Leece

to provide fellow trustees with information on intelligent design, a

movement that questions Darwinian evolution with research in

biochemistry.

The Newport-Mesa Unified school board voted 5 to 2 to delay the study

session until it receives direction on the issue from the state. The

science framework that was adopted in February and charts what students

should know makes no mention of intelligent design.

But Leece said waiting for the state’s opinion is irrelevant because

any decision to teach intelligent design must be made at the local level.

“It’s very clear that other series can be taught, as long as dogma is

not being taught,” Leece said. “Each district needs to come up with its

own set of directions for science staff on how to handle this delicate,

sensitive, controversial issue under the law.”

Leece has advocated intelligent design as science for the last two

years. In January, she withheld her approval of a science textbook

because it did not include the topic.

Leece planned to give a presentation on the issue in January but was

asked to wait until April so the district science committee could provide

its input as well.

But when the board was set to schedule the study session, trustee Dana

Black suggested postponing it again because other priorities should take

precedence.

“We need to prepare kids for [the University of California system],”

Black said. “I think this will be important, but not right now. It feels

like it’s coming out of nowhere.”

Black, who said she didn’t have a personal agenda for or against

intelligent design, said her main concern was in determining what part of

the current science curriculum would have to be sacrificed to add the

topic.

Supt. Robert Barbot also said he did not have a strong desire to

pursue the issue right now. He said teachers are allowed to talk about

intelligent design if it comes up in class.

Leece said the study session’s sole purpose was to inform and blamed

the majority of the board for being unfair in reneging on its earlier

commitment.

“As a board member, a team player, I yielded to the president’s

request,” Leece said. “The information I have to share is still wanting

to be shared.”

Trustee David Brooks agreed.

“I think it’s a fairness thing,” Brooks said. “My plan was kind of an

updating -- not making decisions -- just using the study session for

information.”

Leece said she will continue to crusade for the chance to discuss the

issue, buffeted by the recent passage of a congressional bill dubbed “No

Child Left Behind,” which opens the door for school districts to discuss

a full range of scientific theories.