Washburn history professor Bill Wagnon and Topeka dentist Robert Meissner say they don’t consider the hottest political issue to be the most important one in the race for the 4th District Kansas State Board of Education seat.

But the state’s science-teaching standards for public schools and the pending recommendations for defining them from a 25-member committee continue to come to the forefront when the two debate.

Both men say evolution should be taught. But Meissner said he didn’t rule out the possibility of competing theories such as “intelligent design.”

Intelligent design proponents believe a higher being was involved in the biological makeup of the earth. Critics consider the theory by another name: creationism.

“The idea that we would have alternative views that are supernatural as opposed to natural takes science into areas that science never claimed to address, and in that sense weakens what kids ought to understand are the appropriate boundaries for science,” said Wagnon, the incumbent Democrat.

Meissner said it would be closed-minded for him to say he would automatically exclude alternate theories to evolution without first reviewing the standards recommended by the committee.

“I’m not going to say I will rubber-stamp the standards provided by the committee,” he said. “But it is worth serious consideration.”

The committee reviewing state science standards is expected to present proposed changes to the state school board in 2005.

Because of a power shift on the board signaled by the August primary, there’s a good chance for renewed debate about evolution and the possibility of including other theories in the science standards.

Current board member Bruce Wyatt, a moderate Republican, lost his 6th District seat to Kathy Martin, a conservative Republican. That means in January, the board — regardless of the 4th District outcome — will have a conservative Republican majority. If Wagnon retains the seat, the balance of conservative Republicans to moderate Republicans and Democrats will be 6-4.

Wagnon, seeking a third term, said he wasn’t against religion being taught in school, but didn’t think intelligent design belonged in science classrooms. Instead, he has proposed that the state school board come up with standards for teaching religion in schools. Some parents want their children to be able to study their religious heritage at school, he said.

“They ought to be able to have that educational experience,” Wagnon said.

Meissner, a Republican who served on Topeka’s Shawnee Heights school board for 12 years, said evolution needed to be taught in schools, but he wouldn’t oppose the inclusion of “other scientifically credible theories.”

On other issues:

• Meissner and Wagnon each say they want to work to close the achievement gap for low-income students. Both agree early intervention is key and want to involve parents in educating children. But Meissner said he would like to spend less on preschool programs and see parents take more responsibility in helping educate their children. Wagnon said it would take both preschool and parental efforts to make sure children are prepared for school.
• Meissner said he was more fiscally conservative than Wagnon. He said it was important for schools to be funded, but without a tax increase. Wagnon said funding for schools hadn’t increased in three years. He said the state school board recommended a budget for schools to the governor, and it then was up to the Legislature how to fund them.

Clips of audio interview with Robert Meissner, Republican candidate for 4th District Kansas Board of Education seat: On reason he’s running for the seat. On his approach to school finance. On the role of family in the education process. On children at risk.Clips of audio interview with Bill Wagnon, Democratic incumbent in the 4th District Kansas Board of Education seat: On the reasons he should remain on the board. On the controversy over science standards. On improvement in schools. More in Election 2004