New state science standards find opponent on the board

By Times Staff Writer
Published December 5, 2007

State Board of Education member Donna Callaway said she will vote against the proposed new state science standards because evolution "should not be taught to the exclusion of other theories of origin of life." Further, she hopes "there will be times of prayer throughout Christian homes and churches directed toward this issue," according to a Nov. 30 column in the Florida Baptist Witness, a weekly newspaper based in Jacksonville. The board will vote on the new standards early next year. Educators and scientists have generally given them a good review. Callaway is the highest-profile critic to surface since the draft standards were released in October.

Building block letters, then building museum

The Tampa Museum of Art kick-started its new image Tuesday by unveiling a new logo. The multi-dimensional image of the museum's initials, underscored by the full name, was created after a research study suggested the block-style letters would appeal to a broader audience. Schifino Lee Advertising & Branding plans to spend the next two years heavily marketing the new logo to the public, as it focuses on increasing membership and awareness about plans for a new building. Construction on a new Tampa Museum of Art is expected to begin in February.

By dropping dream, Duval might can spam problem

"Dreams begin here" may be a noble vision for the Duval County School District. But it isn't working so well as the district's Web site address, the Florida Times-Union reports. Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals wants to change the district's Web site address - www.dreamsbeginhere.org - because spam blockers frequently pick it up as an adult site. So Pratt-Dannals is recommending two options - myduvalschools.org and duvalschools.info - to replace the existing one. The public gets to vote.

UF's financial grade

Auditors find 21 problem areas at the University of Florida, but it's an improvement on the last report.4B

Correction

Linda and Terry Bollea's divorce case was filed Nov. 20. A brief item in Tuesday's "Dateline Florida" column listed the wrong month.

[Last modified December 5, 2007, 00:38:18]