Georgia’s Cobb County School Board settles evolution sticker suit
Georgia’s Cobb County School Board has settled a lawsuit brought by parents who challenged a board policy of pasting stickers into science textbooks warning that evolution is "a theory, not a fact." The case had attracted national attention, much of it unflattering, and stoked debate over the teaching of science and religion in the classroom. Cobb school board chairwoman Teresa Plenge explains that the board saw "the need to put this divisive issue behind us." However, she refuses to admit any error, saying she still believes the stickers are constitutional. Parents who filed suit cheered their victory. "Evolution cannot be redefined by people who don't like it," says Jeffrey Selman, one of the parents. "I sued in the name of science and protecting science education, but the umbrella here is the First Amendment. I think our side has stood up very strongly for the United States Constitution." In the settlement agreement the school system agreed not to take out or edit materials on evolution in textbooks and to pay $166,659 toward attorney fees in the case.
The disclaimer sticker that ignited the litigation states: "This textbook contains material on evolution. Evolution is a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of living things. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully and critically considered." In 2005, a U.S. district court ordered the school district to remove the labels. School officials had them scraped off, but asked the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse the decision. Last spring, the appellate panel sent the case back down, saying the record was too incomplete for it to decide whether the lower court decision was correct. That's where the case stood until the settlement was announced. Incoming school board member John Crooks, a Baptist minister who opposed the stickers, says he is pleased the board reached a settlement. "Moving on to more important educational matters is essential," he says.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
By Diane R. Stepp
[Full story]
[Editor’s Note: Summaries of the court rulings are available starting below.]
[NSBA School Law pages on Selman v. Cobb County Sch. Dist.]