By Steve Bell
Kansas City, MO – A bipartisan group headquartered in western Kansas says it will support all moderate candidates, Democrat and Republican in next year's school board races. Founder Don Hineman of Dighton says the group formed because of concerns about the new state science standards and the appointment of Bob Corkins as Commissioner of Education.
Former president of the Kansas Senate and member of the State Board of Regents Dick Bond has endorsed the Alliance, saying the new science standards "have made Kansas a laughingstock." Bond believes most voters will agree that the theory of evolution does not conflict with a belief in a a "creator God."
Evangelical conservataive Jerry Johnson of Overland Park's First Family Church says a network of 1,000 Kansas pastors will advocate the continuation of the present board's policies. Johnson says the moderates are a "vocal minority" who will not be successful at the polls.