Board silences global warming film, for now

In a swift 3-0 vote at its January 9 meeting, the Federal Way School Board ignited a fire among students and parents.

After a short debate with little initial public comment, the board effectively placed a moratorium on the highly-acclaimed film on global warming by former Vice President Al Gore, "An Inconvenient Truth."

The film - considered too controversial by the conservative board and a handful of parents who questioned the movie's place in Federal Way classrooms - can no longer be shown in district schools without an accompanying opposing viewpoint.

"We have a policy that any film shown in schools has to be approved by the principal," Board Vice President David Larson said during the January 9 meeting.

"We also have a policy...number 2311...that says when there is a controversial view presented, opposing views must be presented as well."

While an overwhelming majority of scientists consider the Gore film to present an accurate portrayal of the alarming facts about global warming, Larson told the board that he had compiled a few articles of his own from "a number of credible scientists," including an article entitled

"A Convenient Lie."

Larson convinced the Board to conduct and investigation as to whether or not the film had been viewed in Federal Way classrooms, and if so, determine whether or not the teacher had offered an opposing view.

Presenting what he believes is a more balanced view of the research surrounding global warming is what helps make this country such a "marketplace for ideas."

"We have to be sure that our schools are not being used to politically indoctrinate anyone," Larson said.

While the decision no doubt appeased the few who, according to Board President Ed Barney, complained about the film being shown in the classroom, the board's motion did not sit well with many parents and students.

Not since the Federal Way School Board attempted to impose a district-wide ban on flip-flop sandals has there emerged such a strong public outcry against their decision.

But before the smoke had cleared from last week's explosion of public comment from Federal Way and around the nation, Board Vice President David Larson stepped back on the board's decision in a letter of response published by the Seattle Times on January 17.

His response indicated that he believed global warming should remain an important topic at the forefront of discussion in the classroom.

"Attention to global warming is the next stage in the process of making sure we are the best stewards of our environment. Regardless of how you feel about this issue, sensitivity to it will open markets for new products, reduce pollution and reduce our dependency on foreign oil," Larson wrote.

The School Board, Larson insisted in his op-ed piece, did not ban the film. It simply required that district teachers present a viable opposing viewpoint to the science Gore presents in his slideshow-like movie.

"As for the movie, we did not ban it; we did not ban teaching about global warming; we did not intend to create new policy; and we did not cave in to a parent's political or religious views," Larson wrote for the Times. "None of the board members cast judgment on the movie for either side."

The School Board, Larson said, simply exercised its right and obligation to ensure FWPS teachers follwed the district policy for presenting "controversial topics" in the classroom.

"We asked in an open public meeting, as required by law, to put the brakes on, take two steps back, and have the superintendent make sure existing policy was being followed," Larson wrote.

And while his remarks appeared to show his strong opinions in favor of adding global warming education to its academic curriculum, Larson warned the district and its parents about accepting scientific findings when they're offered up by a political figure.

"There is also the issue of the long-term effects of opening the door to political partisans to create curriculum-affecting policy issues," Larson wrote. "Do we really want partisans to have an incentive to go into the business of developing curriculum for our public schools? Where do we draw the line? This is a big-picture issue that gets lost in the shuffle by focusing only on this one movie."

At the time of the meeting, none of the three members in attendance had seen "An Inconvenient Truth."

Larson's and the Board's rejection of the film and suspicion for what they believe is a political agenda intertwined in decades of scientific findings makes FWPS the first district in the United States to do so.

As a contrast, "An Inconvenient Truth" has become part of the required curricula for students in Norway and Sweden.

While the film has earned nonpartisan praise across the nation, the producers of the film have experienced their share of rejection from schools and educators.

The National Science Teachers Association rejected an offer from producers of the film for 50,000 free DVDs of "An Inconvenient Truth," stating that the organization did not want to offer a "political endorsement" of the film.

The NSTA also voiced concerns that accepting the DVDs might jeopardize their capital campaign's relationship with one of its principle donors, the Exxon Mobile Corporation.

"Gore, however, is not running for office, and the film's theatrical run is long since over," producer Laurie David wrote in a Washington Post op-ed piece November 26.

"As for classroom benefits," the producer continued, "the movie has been enthusiastically endorsed by leading climate scientists worldwide."