Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Education News

Brainerd School Board president questions teaching evolution to students

Two people sit on a desk.
Director of teaching and learning Tim Murtha (left) and Brainerd High School science teacher Craig Rezac give an update on the biology curriculum for the 2019-2020 during a Brainerd School Board meeting Monday.
Gabriel Lagarde | Brainerd Dispatch

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

By Gabriel D. Lagarde via Brainerd Dispatch

The theory of evolution and whether or not it should be taught to Brainerd School District students popped up during a board meeting this week.

Director of Teaching and Learning Tim Murtha and Craig Rezac, a faculty member with the Brainerd High School science department, on Monday gave an update on the biology curriculum taught to students.

Sue Kern
Sue Kern
Via Brainerd Dispatch

Board President Sue Kern questioned the validity and practical benefits of teaching the theory of evolution to students.

“Darwin’s theory was done in the mid-1800s and it’s never been proven,” Kern said. “So I’m wondering why we’re still teaching it.”

Rezac said the theory of evolution has been well-documented in the intervening centuries, with numerous contributions to the understanding of the sciences. Evolution isn’t a one-time theory proposed by Charles Darwin, he noted, it’s a cornerstone of biology and one that applies at every step in the curriculum.

“The interesting thing about theories is that we have to find information to disprove it,” Rezac responded. “There hasn’t been any information found to disprove the theory of evolution. As we learn more about DNA, it only solidified it.

“It’s based on observation. It’s based on fact. If we ever find any evidence to disprove it, we would amend that because that’s what we can do with a theory,” he added. “But, there hasn’t been any evidence to disprove it presented at this time.”

“And with regard to Christian students — how do you do that?” Kern said. “They’re taught not to agree with that, so.”

Christianity — or, for that matter, all forms of belief — do not necessarily conflict with the theory of evolution, Rezac said. They apply to different areas of a person’s life and, he said, for many, religious belief and rigorous scientific theory coexist in harmony.

“This is science and science deals with facts. It doesn’t deal with belief,” Rezac said. “It doesn’t have to be a dilemma or a concern for someone to choose between Christianity and evolution — that’s not what this is about. You can actually embrace both. It’s my duty as a teacher to teach science and not teach religion. That’s the separation of church and state.”

Murtha noted that, in teaching evolution, the district is following education mandates set by the state of Minnesota.

“If we were to deviate from those standards,” Murtha said, “we would not be keeping our promise to the community that the standards are met.”