Kansas School Board Election May Change Policy

T O P E K A, Kan., Aug. 2 -- Kansas Board of Education candidates whosupported science standards that de-emphasize evolution weredefeated in three GOP primaries Tuesday. The board member whohelped write the standards staved off a challenge.

Linda Holloway, who supported the new standards as boardchairwoman last year and spent thousands in her re-electioncampaign, lost to Sue Gamble 60 percent to 40 percent.

Holloway said she was surprised by her loss, which sheattributed to criticism of the board’s decision.

“Unfortunately, I guess propaganda still works,” she said.Gamble saw her nomination as a rejection of the standards.

“I think it’s a validation of parents and other communitypeople speaking for their schools and quality education,” shesaid.

Backer Bounced

Incumbent Mary Douglass Brown, who supported the standards, wasdefeated by Carol Rupe, who opposed the board’s decision, by 52percent to 48 percent. And moderate Bruce Wyatt led Brad Angell 58percent to 42 percent with 99 percent of the vote counted. Angellsupports the standards, while Wyatt wants to change them. They areseeking the seat vacated by a member who voted for the standards.

Steve Abrams, who helped write the standards, defeated RogerRankin, who campaigned against the standards, 62 percent to 38percent.

It was the first time voters got a chance to decide whether thestandards approved last year should cost board members their jobs.Holloway, Abrams and Brown, conservatives who voted for thestandards, were challenged by moderates who opposed the decision.

Changing Board

Not all 10 seats on the board are up for re-election this year,but Tuesday’s votes could help tip the balance on the board, whichvoted 6-4 last year to approve the standards.

In the Nov. 7 general election, the primary winners will faceDemocrats who oppose the standards.

The standards, which school districts do not have to follow,play down the importance of evolution and omit the big-bang theoryof the universe’s origin. They also provide the basis for statewidestudent assessment tests to be introduced next spring.