Topeka ? Lawrence will lose a creationist and gain an evolutionist under a State Board of Education redistricting plan.

The plan, which will be considered this week by the Legislature, will redraw board of education district lines so that most of Lawrence will be moved from the 3rd District to the 4th District.

The 3rd District is currently represented by John Bacon, a Republican from Olathe, who in 1999 voted with a then-majority to de-emphasize evolution in science standards for public school students.

That decision was later overturned after the 2000 elections changed the makeup of the board.

The proposed 4th District, which would include Lawrence if the Legislature ratifies the plan, is represented by Bill Wagnon, a Topeka Democrat who has supported the teaching of evolution.

Under the plan, the 4th District would include all of Lawrence except for the northern part  which would be in the 1st District  as well as both Shawnee and Wabaunsee counties and northern Osage County.

Bacon said he was satisfied with the proposed map.

“I don’t think I won in Lawrence last time, so I’m sure there are people who are glad,” to get him out of the district, he said.

The new plan makes sense, Bacon said, because it makes the district more compact. His term expires next year, and he said he would decide next month whether to seek re-election.

State lawmakers redraw district lines for congressional, legislative and board of education districts every 10 years because of population changes recorded by the census.