Cobb board cautious on how to teach origin of life

MARIETTA - Cobb County school board members are open to discussion as far as how the origin of life should be taught to area students. <br> <br> Thursday night, the seven-member board voted unanimously to spend 30 days reviewing a proposed policy that states the district believes ``discussion of disputed views of academic subjects is a necessary element of providing a balanced education.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The policy also says that such balanced discussions will include ``origin of the species.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Few school officials were clear about what exactly the newly drafted policy would allow, however. <br> <br> Curt Johnston - Cobb County school board chairman - said the policy will clarify things. <br> <br> ``We&#39;ve been told by our attorney we&#39;re not allowed to teach creationism,&#34; he said. &#34;But the point is we want free and open discussion in the classroom. And our teachers are nervous about what they can talk about.&#34;<br> <br> The board is expected to vote on the policy at its meeting September 26th. <br> <br> On Wednesday, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a federal lawsuit seeking to force the Cobb County school board to remove disclaimers on evolution from textbooks.