Commentary: McLeroy Rejection as Texas Education Chair Based on Unsuitability, Not Religion

McLeroy has been a member of the SBOE for 11 years, and served as chairman for the past two. He was reappointed by Governor Perry in February, but that reappointment was rejected Thursday.

McLeroy is notorious for trying to undercut the teaching of the theory of evolution in Texas schools, making the state into a worldwide laughingstock. But his controversial statements are not limited to the teaching of science. When the SBOE approved 150 literary works for Texas public schools in 2008, critics pointed out that there were hardly any works from culturally diverse viewpoints, to which McLeroy reportedly responded that he did not approve of "books with a bunch of crazy Chinese words in them." He later apologized.

In response to the Senate rejection, McLeroy's supporters immediately complained that it was based on his religious faith as a conservative Christian. Senate Democrats responded that the problem was not with McLeroy's beliefs, but with his divisive leadership.

Considering the controversy that has roiled the SBOE since McLeroy's first appointment as chairman, much of which was unrelated to religious issues, the Democrats' criticisms of his leadership are legitimate. The SBOE has been wracked with dissension for the past two years.

Even in the case of those issues that are related to Christianity, such as McLeroy's opposition to evolution in favor of Biblical creationism, the Democrats' complaints do not arise directly from McLeroy's faith. They arise from McLeroy's attempt to teach false information to Texas students. Brown University biology professor Kenneth Miller, also a Christian, has noted that McLeroy's "fundamental misunderstanding of ... biology is nothing short of breathtaking."

McLeroy is an unsuitable leader for the Texas SBOE. His past performance as chairman has made that clear. Kudos to the Texas State Senate for recognizing that fact.