Date: Mon, 20 Feb 1995 14:57:30 -0600 (CST) From: Kevyn Jacobs Subject: COLLEGIAN: SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES DISCUSS 6 ISSUES Board candidates discuss 6 issues By KRISTIN BRIGHTON Collegian Almost 200 people, a standing-room-only crowd, attended the Flint Hills Mainstream Coalition school board forum Sunday. The seven Manhattan-Ogden Unified School District 383 candidates in attendance agreed with each other, for the most part, on all of the six questions the coalition asked in advance. Three of the 10 candidates -- Rick Crow, Colleen Hampton and Kimberly Wells -- did not attend the forum, nor did they send answers to the coalition responding to the questions. Coalition spokeswoman Jami Ramsey told the group that all the candidates deserved respect. "We owe them our respect whether we disagree or agree with their views," she said. The coalition's questions focused on the issues of sex education beliefs, creation vs. evolution in science classes, school prayer, tolerance for non-traditional households, Quality Performance Accreditation and the school voucher systems. The local coalition was formed to preserve traditional values of the separation of church and state, First Amendment freedoms, individual rights, the importance of family, public education, and tolerance and compassion for everyone, Ramsey said. Candidate Peter Garretson repeatedly said he felt these issues were not the important issues the board would be facing. Garretson noted the continued agreement of the candidates on the coalition's questions. "I would vote for each one of them," he said. Instead, Garretson called for the forum and future forums to address what he called the real issue: budget concerns. "I think the time for litmus tests have passed," Garretson said. On sexual education practices, the panel agreed the current system is appropriate. Several candidates pointed out the importance of sex education outside of school as well, in home or church settings. Candidate Michael Pearson said abstinence should be encouraged, but students should also be educated on all aspects because children as young as elementary school hear rumors. "Kids need to be taught the truth," Pearson said. The panel, for the most part, agreed in the separation of church and state. Candidate Larry Weaver said the only place religion should have in schools is in reference to history. "The state should not sponsor religious-based activities," Weaver said. Candidate Mary Nichols said today's Supreme Court is one justice away from possible changes on this issue, pointing out that even in this diverse country, majority still rules. Nichols also said as long there are tests, there will be prayers in school. The teaching of creation in science classrooms brought about more varied responses. Garretson said he didn't know how to teach evolution without also making references to creation. He said it is relevant to talk about what other people believe. Deb Nuss and Joleen Hill said the place for the discussion of creation theories should be in humanities classes instead of science classrooms. The discussion of board members having tolerance for non-traditional families such as single-parent, interracial or homosexual households found the panel in consensus that all people deserve respect. Nuss said acceptance is a better word than tolerance, and the goal should be not to point out differences, but similarities between households. "Children don't think about it as something different until parents point it out," Nuss said. The panel seemed to agree QPA is a good assessment program that only needs modification. Phil Morgan said the biggest complaint he has heard is that the paperwork involved with the program takes up teachers' time. "Our teachers should be teaching and not being taken away for paperwork that may not be necessary," Morgan said in his written response. School voucher systems could allow a student to go to private school with public money or any public school of their choice. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Copyright 1995, Student Publications Inc. All rights reserved. This document may be distributed electronically, provided it is distributed in its entirety and includes this notice. However, it cannot be reprinted without the express written permission of Student Publications Inc., Kansas State University.