New Spirit of Civility, Cooperation Evident With Kansas School Board

The Kansas state board of education, which as recently as December was politically fractured and riven by interpersonal tension, appears to be moving in a more civil—if not entirely bipartisan—direction under its new, moderate majority.

The 10-member panel has often been in the media spotlight. In 2005, under the previous conservative majority, it adopted science standards that described parts of the theory of evolution as “controversial” and cast doubt on the widely accepted theory, angering scientists.

The decision led to a backlash by voters who, in last year’s elections, ousted one incumbent and elected two moderates to the board, giving them a narrow, 6-4 majority. ( "Kansas Board Primaries Seen as Win for Moderates," ...