We’re still learning about surprise new SBOE member George Clayton. The Statesman talks to him and sheds a little light on who he is.
Clayton said he realized the board needed a “voice of reason” last year when the board members became mired in the discussion of the teaching evolution in the science curriculum.
While the State Board of Education was re-enacting the Scopes monkey trial, Clayton said, he was dealing with the real problems that educators face every day.
“I had one thing that (Miller) didn’t have and that is experience in public schools,” Clayton said.
Given the board’s delicate balance, the question on many people’s minds is whether Clayton will ally himself with the board’s conservative bloc or the more moderate faction. Miller has often voted with the moderates on the sharply divided board.
Clayton said he wanted to avoid labeling himself — except for one.
“I want to be the leveler,” Clayton said.
Sounds good to me. At least he isn’t obviously a new member of the wingnut faction, and for now that’s good enough. KUT and KERA have more.