Bryan Republican named chairman of State Board of Education

Houston Chronicle ^ | July 18. 2007 | AP

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AUSTIN — Gov. Rick Perry's appointment of Don McLeroy as chairman of the State Board of Education drew mixed reactions from some members and observers of the board, which sets policies for the Texas public school system.

McLeroy, a Republican dentist from Bryan, has served on the board for the past eight years and is a past vice chairman. One supporter called him a "solid conservative," while a critic labeled him an "ideologue" with an agenda.

Perry spokesman Robert Black on Tuesday called McLeroy "a principled leader who will do a great job."

McLeroy was re-elected last fall to the board, which among other duties sets graduation requirements, establishes testing standards and invests the permanent school fund.

The Texas Freedom Network pointed out that McLeroy was among a minority of board members who in 2003 said biology textbooks should include what they considered weaknesses in Darwin's theory of evolution.

McLeroy also voted with a majority in 2004 for health textbooks that included little information about contraceptives, despite state guidelines saying students should be able to analyze the effectiveness of so-called barrier protection, such as condoms.

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"The Texas Freedom Network pointed out that McLeroy was among a minority of board members who in 2003 said biology textbooks should include what they considered weaknesses in Darwin's theory of evolution."

"McLeroy also voted with a majority in 2004 for health textbooks that included little information about contraceptives, despite state guidelines saying students should be able to analyze the effectiveness of so-called barrier protection, such as condoms."

------ sounds like a good man.