Clairmont Heights Civic Association

A local resident submitted the following two questions to the three candidates for School Board in our district: Marshall Orson, Don McChesney, and Ella Smith. Their responses are posted below. More information on the candiates can be found on the GoDekalb site and on page 20 of the League of Women Voters guide

The questions:
1.) I would like to know where each of the candidates stands on teaching evolution in the science classroom.
2.)Also, how would they propose to deal with the overcrowding of Fernbank?

Response from Marshall Orson

1. With regard to your question on teaching evolution in the science classroom, from my perspective there is no question that it should be taught. And, though not asked by you, alternative "theories" are faith based and should be addressed in our faith institutions, not our public schools.

2. The overcrowding at Fernbank is vexing. I chair the Fernbank School Council and we constantly monitor the numbers. I start with the premise that it is better to be in a growing school then a shrinking school. I do not currently see any obvious solution because even the occasional redistricting ideas that are discussed would not measurably change our numbers (which I expect to continue to grow for some time, both based on housing turnover and the economic situation). For the moment, I think we will need to accept our overcrowded situation rather then make decisions that would push families out of our school. Longer term, if this growth continues, we may then be in the position to seek a capital expansion under what will likely be a SPLOST 4. Though there are no guarantees of either a SPLOST 4 or our being considered, we would have time to make the case for our inclusion if there is a SPLOST 4.

Response from Don McChesney

1. As a former high school history teacher I dealt with the evolution - creationism question each year. I personally believe that both points of view should be presented. It must ,however, be done objectively. I have never had a problem with either being presented. These concepts presented no conflict for me. Both of these concepts are touched on in the history classroom. I am not sure that evolution belongs only in a science class.

2. Overcrowding at Fernbank. Because of budget constraints little can be done in the way of expansion right now. The demographic study that the county did two years ago suggests that starting next year elementary population will begin to decline and high schools will grow. I am not sure this has proven to be accurate up to this point. In the short term I am afraid you are going to see larger classroom population or portable classrooms. If the population becomes so large that it becomes unmanageable the redrawing of attendance lines may become necessary. I hope that this scenario never occurs.

Response from Ella Smith

1. Evolution should be taught as a theory in Biology as it is currently being taught. I teach 9th grade Biology where evolution is presented within most standards across the whole curriculum of Biology and as a unit by itself, in the spring. Evolution is such an important part of Biology and it would be very difficult to teach Biology at all, without presenting this concept. All living things are constantly evolving or changing and Biology is the study of living thing and things that once were living.
I do feel it is important to teach this theory in the Biology curriculum as well as many other theories to allow our students the knowledge to compete on a national level and international level. I also feel it is very important to communicate with parents who are concerned due to their beliefs to make sure they understand how the unit or topic is being presented so there are no misunderstandings.
As science teachers, we do not attempt to change beliefs of any family members or any students. Besides, if we are good Biology teachers, and are following state guidelines, students should be taught to be skeptical about many topics. This will give them the tools to have the opportunity to become famous scientists in the future and find the answers too many of their unanswered questions.

2. Overcrowding is a problem in many of our schools in district 2 due to transfer students from schools which have not met annual yearly progress two years in a row, and also because parents are choosing to move into school districts where the schools perform well. In addition, the percentage of students in many schools in the U.S. who are immigrants or the children of immigrants have tripled in the past 30 years. In 1970, they were only 6.5 percent of the student body. Today, 20 percent of our students have at least one foreign-born parent. Due to current trends, I see no other option than for the county to build new additions to present schools, to build new schools or to open up schools that the district has previously closed to ease the overcrowding situation in district 2. I am very opposed to using trailers for classrooms except in temporary situations. Using trailers as our DeKalb County classrooms in overcrowded situations is not a safe teaching situation for any child during severe storms or in the violent society in which we currently live.

It is also my understanding from administrators from other counties and from individuals in DeKalb who have previously been DeKalb County School Administrators and school board members that DeKalb County School System has not taken advantage of all available federal grant money to update its infrastructure of schools as other surrounding counties has done. I would like to see this change as children in DeKalb need to have access to updated science labs, and additions like dance studios, drama studio, and two gymnasiums instead of one, etc. Our children deserve the best opportunities that our community, county, state and federal government can provide them. All our elected officials need to all work together to provide the best education opportunities and facilities for our children.