AAAS Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion

Montana

In December 2003, local Baptist minister Curtis Brickley distributed handbills to the 754 residents of Darby, Montana inviting them to a "town meeting" about the teaching of evolution in Darby schools. Two hundred people from Darby and the surrounding Ravalli County attended the PowerPoint presentation by Brickley challenging the theory of evolution and introducing Intelligent Design. Within days, local students, teachers, parents and concerned residents rallied to defend the teaching of evolution in the schools and prevent the introduction of Intelligent Design into the curriculum. The following articles trace the beginnings of the grassroots movement to include Intelligent Design in the schools’ science curriculum and the subsequent response from the community.

Darby Meeting to Discuss Teaching Intelligent Design, by Jenny Johnson, Ravalli Republic, December 9, 2003

Intelligent Design Presentation Draws Hundreds, by Jenny Johnson, Ravalli Republic, December 9, 2003

Engineering Intelligent Design in Darby Schools, by Josh Mahan, Missoula Independent, December 23, 2003

Opponents of Origin Theories Plan Presentation, by Jenny Johnson, Ravalli Republic, January 20, 2004

In February of 2004, the Darby school board approved in a 3-2 vote a policy that would encourage teachers to teach criticisms of the theory of evolution. Although board members did not specify a new curriculum, critics of the "objective origins" policy argued that it would allow the introduction of religion into the science classroom. Prior to their approval of the "objective origins" policy the board had been warned that such a measure would make the board vulnerable to lawsuits. The actions by the board resulted in protests on a local and state level and one couple filed a lawsuit protesting that the policy will "direct Darby science teachers to present to our children as scientific what are in fact religious teachings, thus establishing government sponsored religion in our school." The following articles illustrate the reactions both for and against the school board's decision.

Darby Schools OK 'Objective Origins,' by Michael Moore, The Missoulian, February 3, 2004

State Education Chief: Darby School Policy Not Science, Associated Press, pubished in Billings Gazette, February 3, 2004

Darby School Board Prepares for Potential Lawsuit; Meeting Set with Lawyer, by Jenny Johnson, Ravalli Republic, February 23, 2004

Darby Couple Readies 'Objective Origins' Lawsuit, by Michael Moore, The Missoulian, March 3, 2004

Objective Origins Policy Will Be Challenged, by Rod Miner and Martha Stomberg, Ravalli Republic, March 4, 2004

Protesters Voice Concern at Darby School Board Meeting, by Jenny Johnson, Ravalli Republic, April 7, 2004

Speaker of the House Supports Darby Objective Origins, by Jenny Johnson, Ravalli Republic, April 14, 2004

The "objective origins" policy proved to be a contentious issue in the Darby school board election. The race originally included three candidates who opposed the policy and two candidates in support of the policy. After one of the anti-"objective origins" candidates withdrew from the race, voters overwhelmingly elected the remaining two anti-"objective origins" candidates. Prior to the election the board hired a new superintendent in a closed proceeding, sparking more criticism. Although the board stated that candidate's views on theory of evolution were not a factor, the new superintendent has publicly supported the "objective origins" policy. The following articles highlight the superintendent selection process and the Darby school board elections.

School Board Candidate Withdraws from Race, open letter by Bill LaCriox, printed in Ravalli Independent, April 27, 2004

School Board Candidate Says Parents Must Be Responsible, by Jerome Tharaud, Havre Daily News, April 27, 2004

Candidate Puts Emphasis on Better Education, Teacher Pay, by Jerome Tharaud, Havre Daily News, April 27, 2004

Board Member Cites Experience in Her Run for Another Term, by Jerome Tharaud, Havre Daily News, April 28, 2004

Board Candidate Wants Public More Involved in Budget Cuts, by Jerome Tharaud, Havre Daily News, April 29, 2004

Intelligient Design and the Theory of Evolution, by Kathy Witkowsky, National Public Radio, May 2, 2004

Darby Hires Superintendent; Public Comments Question Credentials, by Jenny Johnson, Ravalli Republic, May 5, 2004

Darby Rejects 'Objective Origins' Supporters, by Michael Moore, The Missoulian, May 5, 2004

Darby's "objective origins" policy is poised to shift from a local to state level as both Republican candidates for State Superintendent voiced their support for the policy. The incumbent candidate, Democrat Linda McCulloch had threatened to revoke the Darby County school system's accreditation if the objective origins policy had been approved. The following section will examine the shift of the "objective origins" controversy from a local to state issue as it affects the race for State Superintendent.

Candidates Say Schools Have Right to Question Evolution, by Walt Williams, Bozeman Daily Chronicle, May 29, 2004

McCulloch, Anderson Big Winners in State School Superintendent Primaries, Associated Press, pubished in Billings Gazette, June 9, 2004

The Darby School Board ended the evolution controvery in a 3-2 vote in July, ruling that teachers would not be required to teach critiques of evolution or present alterative hypotheses. The ruling came after a school board election in which voters elected two representatives who campaigned on an anti-"objective origin" platform.

Darby School Board Puts Objective Origins to Rest, by Jenny Johnson, Ravalli Republic, July 7, 2004