Creationism debate dropped by Springboro school board member

National groups advised Kelly Kohls, district of legal issues involved.

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By Lawrence Budd and Christopher Magan
Staff Writers Updated 1:39 AM Sunday, August 21, 2011

SPRINGBORO — The debate over bringing creationism into Springboro classrooms ended after a shift in viewpoint by the school board member who started the discussion, which prompted a national response, including threats of legal action.

Kelly Kohls, the board member who raised the prospect of the district teaching creationism at a board meeting, modified her position days after the American Civil Liberties Union and Freedom From Religion Foundation advised her and the school district of legal issues related to the separation of church and state.

Kohls said Aug. 4 she wants parents of students in public schools to have options if they want their children to learn about theories like intelligent design, including possibly the choice of using state funds to send their children to other schools.

Her change came as two other board members said they were open to bringing creationism into Springboro classrooms in some form and a third board member, while opposed, called for a vote on the issue.

During a July 19 board meeting, Kohls asked the district’s curriculum director to look into ways of providing supplemental instruction on creationism during a discussion of a new biology book adopted by the board for use by Springboro students.

Kohls’ questions led to further questions about her support for teaching creationism, including several TV appearances. Still she said her interest in the issue was overstated.

“There is no push,” Kohls said. “There were a couple of questions.”

Kohls said she would like to see expanded “school choice” and possibly vouchers for parents who want their children to learn about such topics, she said. Vouchers, which use state money to send students to parochial or private schools, are only available to parents in low-performing districts. Springboro schools recently regained Excellence with Distinction status from the Ohio Department of Education.

The focus on the creationism issue has been frustrating for school officials and some parents.

Tina Gangl, who has a daughter in Springboro elementary schools and a son at the nearby Catholic Bishop Fenwick High School, said public schools should not teach religion.

“We need to educate our children about science,” Gangl said, “If I want to teach my religion to my kids I’ll send them to a religious school. There is no place for it in public school.”

Representatives of the ACLU of Ohio and the national Freedom From Religion Foundation have written Springboro school leaders, noting legal action would be imminent if the district decided to teach some form of creationism.

“It is wildly inappropriate for the religious beliefs of a few school board members to be pushed on a captive audience of public school students,” wrote Rebecca Markert, staff attorney for the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Her letter cites six court decisions since 1968 rejecting creationism in public schools.

The latest court ruling came in 2006 when a judge ruled against a school district in Dover, Pa., that had taught intelligent design as a form of evolution. Like creationism, intelligent design argues that there are supernatural causes for life on earth. At the time, Ohio state school board members were debating whether to include intelligent design in the curriculum, but decided against it after the court ruling.

Fellow Springboro board members characterized the debate as a distraction from their work trying to right the district’s finances after several levy defeats.

Earlier this month, the board cut pay-to-participate fees and reinstated high school busing. No levies are expected to be proposed before renewal of one expiring in 2013.

While opposed, Board Member Mike Kruse called for a vote on the creationism debate.

“I think we have other issues more important to deal with,” Kruse said. “No way, no how, no place should it be in public schools. I’m hoping the board would bring this to a vote and get the issue resolved.”

Board President Don Miller said he wanted the board to focus on more important issues.

Two other board members, Scott Anderson and Gentry Ellis, agreed the debate was a distraction, but said they would support an elective class on world religions similar to courses taught at the college level that would allow students to explore other beliefs about creation.

Kohls said she might support such a class. “If my board thinks that would increase the boundaries of the topic, I think so,” she said. “I think my board is very enlightened and has the children’s best interest at heart.”

Still Kohls said she doesn’t see her district moving forward with the controversial issue anytime soon.

“I don’t think it is something any of us are pursuing,” Kohls said. “I think people should have options.”

“I would like to (teach it), but not necessarily at this public school. I think it is important we understand why we don’t.”

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