First, from the standard news sources in Jacksonville:

Despite impassioned opposition from science experts, teachers and some clergy, Clay County School Board members unanimously resolved Tuesday night that evolution should be presented as a theory, and not fact, in the classroom.The board passed a resolution, proposed by Superintendent David Owens, asking the Florida Department of Education to reword its newly proposed state standards, which presents evolution as “the fundamental concept underlying all of biology and is supported in multiple forms of scientific evidence.”Baker County approved a similar resolution Dec. 17.[source]

It is apparent that the school board, under carefully crafted legal advice, stepped as close as they could to Doverland as possible without actually going there. This is not a conclusion I draw or an opinion. It is their stated strategy.Here is a missive I have received from a concerned citizen who was at the Clay County meeting, and it is an eye-witness account of this fiasco. I reproduce it here with permission. As far as I can tell, this account is verified by the various press reports that are available. Read it and weep:

I attended the School Board meeting in Clay County, FL [on] 01/17/08. The Clay School Board was considering a resolution to oppose the new science guidelines – stating that the State should not teach Evolution “fact”. NOWHERE in the guidelines is there any reference to Evolution as being fact. The resolution also stated that the curriculum should be “fair and balanced” – clearly an attempt to open the door for the teaching of religion in science classes.At the meeting, 27 people spoke. Only 4 were in favor of the resolution. EVERY person that had a background of knowledge in Science or in Theology spoke against the resolution – backing the teaching of evolution, and stating that religion should not be in the schools.The School Board members were obviously perplexed by the response. They considered changing the wording of their resolution so that it stated that Evolution should be taught as a “theory” instead of a “concept”. Then, they debated about whether or not there is a difference between the two words! However, they passed their revised resolution in opposition of the guidelines.This SCHOOL Board could not come up with definitions for “theory” and “concept”, yet, passed a resolution with that wording. This SCHOOL Board initially wrote a resolution that was opposed to teaching evolution as “fact” – when the FACT is that the guidelines NEVER refer to teaching it as fact. The REAL mission here is to open the door for Creationism to be taught in the schools. However, these obvious Christian politicians do not follow the basic Christian value of honesty. No one on the board would admit what the resolution is really about.However, their attorney was quick to speak up when some of the board members seemed concerned. He stated that the resolution came as close as possible to violating the Kitzmiller decision without actually crossing the line. This made it obvious that legal concerns were discussed with the attorney prior to submitting the resolution for discussion – with PARTICULAR CONCERN over their resolution being similar to Kitzmiller.When board member Wayne Bolla asked how the resolution got onto their agenda, and who wrote it, Superintendent DAVID OWENS boasted, “I will take full responsibility for all of the above.” When asked again who wrote it, Owens admitted writing it – “with the help of others”. He then went on to say, “Read it and vote your conscience.” One cannot avoid wondering which religious group may have assisted Owens in writing such a poorly worded and inaccurate resolution. One cannot avoid wondering why it was pushed onto the board’s agenda (after being passed by the board’s attorney) so quickly. Initially, it was on their agenda ONLY for passing – NOT for open discussion. Was this an attempt to bypass due process and slip religious intentions past the other board members??Ultimately, the 23 EDUCATED voices of reason fell on the deaf ears of the board. Mr. Owens’ private agenda WAS passed. One can only hope that when these 6 Board members attend their church this Sunday, that they ask their god for forgiveness for deceiving an entire county of people.One can only hope that media will stand up and take notice, and bring Owens’ abuse of his position to the attention of the entire country.I urge those that are interested to contact the Clay County School Board at (904) 284-6500 and request a copy of the video of this meeting. Most of those that spoke up were very informed, and certainly will give you a lot to think about. Watching the School Board squirm to avoid telling the truth about the REAL Agenda, and seeing them banter back and forth trying to ignore public opinion will give you a good laugh. Once you have viewed it, pass it along to those that can make a difference.

(emphasis added)

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