Pittsburg ? A veteran education professor says he will challenge a conservative incumbent on the State Board of Education in next year’s election.

Kent Runyan, a member of the Pittsburg State University education faculty for 17 years, announced Monday that he will run as a Democrat against Republican Iris Van Meter, of Thayer. Van Meter was elected in 2002 and represents District 9 of southeast Kansas.

Runyan said the board’s recent hiring of an inexperienced Bob Corkins as education commissioner and its decisions on science standards prompted him to enter the race. Corkins was hired to replace Andy Tompkins, who retired as commissioner in June.

“We’ve gotta correct that,” Runyan said. “Somebody has to step up and get that ship going in the right direction. I think I have the experience. I have the knowledge. I have the background.”

Runyan is the senior professor in Pittsburg State’s curriculum and instruction department, responsible for training new teachers and graduate programs. He also is former president of the Pittsburg public school board.

Van Meter becomes the third conservative on the 10-member board to draw an opponent next year. Half the board is elected every four years.

Sally Cauble, a Republican from Liberal, has filed to challenge incumbent Connie Morris, of St. Francis, in the GOP primary for District 5, comprised of 41 western Kansas counties. Harry McDonald, of Olathe, faces incumbent John Bacon, of Olathe, in the GOP primary for District 3.

Also up for re-election are Janet Waugh, a Kansas City Democrat in District 1, and Ken Willard, a Republican from Hutchinson in District 7 of south-central Kansas. The primary is Aug. 1 and the general election Nov. 7.

Evolution stands to be a major issue next year, as it was in 2000 after the last battle over science standards.

In 1999, the conservative-controlled board rewrote science standards to delete most references to the theory of evolution, which many scientists and science groups saw as a direct attack by creationists. That made Kansas the focus of international ridicule.

After the 2000 elections, the board had a 7-3 majority of Democrats and moderate Republicans. But the majority swung back to conservatives who unseated moderate Republicans in 2002 and 2004.

Runyan said he would prefer the board focus on the issues facing teachers daily and set ideological differences aside. He said theological issues should be kept in social science classes or comparative religions.

“I think science belongs in science,” he said.