12-04-2025
WCS approves new science textbooks for schools
Wilson County Schools approved new science books for the curriculum despite debate among the board members during Monday's school board meeting.
Last October, textbook committee members were appointed to review and discuss state approved textbook options. After review, WCS Director of Schools Jeff Luttrell recommended the board approve the textbooks.
For grades K-5, Savass Learning textbooks were recommended for approval and for grades 6-8, McGraw Hill textbooks were recommended for approval. Grades 9-12 have a mix of Savass and McGraw Hill. According to the State of Tennessee, the textbooks meet standards and are approved for all schools.
'I want to say that we appreciate each textbook committee member and the hard work of everyone involved,' Luttrell said. 'Our committee members did not take this lightly. This has been an ongoing process to ensure this curriculum will meet the needs of Wilson County students and teachers.'
Textbook approvals and standards are on an eight-year cycle and Wilson County is at the end of that cycle. Luttrell said it's standard procedure in Tennessee to review curriculum standards at that time.
'I've had phone calls from all over the state from board members who have reviewed this, and there are some concerns that there's a lot of bias in these textbooks,' board member Dr. Beth Myers said.
Board member Melissa Lynn said the committee, made up of teachers and parents, brought the recommendation of approval to the board.
Board member Greg Hohman said there are concerns that the textbooks promote 'climate alarmism' which 'concludes that fossil fuels are leading to global demise.'
'Another being that of the outdated theory of evolution, whereby new genetic data has widened the gap of evolution…widened the gap between human and chimp DNA and making the jump between chimp and human nearly insurmountable,' Hohman added.
According to the Smithsonian's Human Origins Program, current data on evolutionary theory says humans did not descend from chimps, but that merely humans and chimps share a common ancestor in the evolutionary line.
'I say all of this to inform parents to review these topics with their children, understand what is being presented to your child and engage in meaningful discussions with them,' Hohman said. 'Encourage them to challenge the narratives you find within these books that are in clear disagreement with modern science and genetics.'
The board passed the adoption of the new science textbooks unanimously after discussion continued on parent input on content in the curriculum and textbooks.
A budget amendment was also passed to allow for more substitutes to fill in while science teachers are updated on the new curriculum.
