FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 19 May 2010
CONTACT: Kirsten Gray (512) 478-9800, (512) 809-2459

CANDIDATES TO SBOE: PUT OUR KIDS FIRST!
Democratic SBOE candidates take stand against political indoctrination in Texas classrooms

(Austin, TX) – Democratic State Board of Education (SBOE) candidates held a press conference today at the Texas Democratic Party headquarters and called on SBOE members to stop injecting politics into our classrooms. Candidates Dr. Judy Jennings, Dr. Rebecca Bell-Metereau and Dr. Michael Soto stood in opposition to the ideology-driven curriculum standards currently under consideration by the SBOE and scheduled for a final vote this week.

The candidates presented a petition signed by over 4,300 Texans who insist that the SBOE put partisanship aside and ‘Put Our Kids First’.

"Today, the State Board of Education faces an historic choice. Will they listen to the teachers who serve our children...or will they continue to serve their own ideological agendas?" said Dr. Judy Jennings, candidate for SBOE District 10. "I will explore in January the possibilities for rescinding any changes to the Social Studies curriculum made this week that are based on ideology rather than historical fact, and I challenge my opponent, Marsha Farney, to commit publicly to doing the same."

"When I look at my two young children, I feel nothing but hope. But when I look at what the current SBOE is doing to education in Texas, I feel nothing but deep concern," added Dr. Michael Soto, for SBOE District 3. "I want to join this Board so we can start doing better by our children."

"If board members truly care about education, they will postpone their decisions on curriculum. They must not play political games with education," said Dr. Rebecca Bell-Metereau, who is running for SBOE District 5. "We must set aside political battles and return our focus to the mission of the board: to provide students with a curriculum and textbooks that prepare them for higher education and for careers."