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On February 15, 2005, science writing committtee chairperson Steve Case received an email from Bill Harris, leader of the Intelligent Design creationists, with the following proposals for the format of the state BOE's "Science Hearings."

Dear Dr. Abrams, members of the Science, Dr. Case, and Ms. Posny,

After consultation with John Calvert, I would like to suggest the following preliminary procedures for the hearings:

1. The committee shall primarily conduct its inquiry regarding the Minority Proposals through public hearings during which representatives of the minority and majority positions may call witnesses to testify for their respective positions. Witnesses may also submit copies of their testimony, and other documentary materials.

2. Dr. Harris shall submit his witness list within 20 days of the date you issue your final decision regarding what procedures we will follow. The list will include the anticipated length of presentation of each witness (not counting time for questions from the committee and representatives of the proposals) and contact information.

3. Dr. Case (or whomever from the committee representing the Majority position) will submit a list of witnesses expected to support that position within 10 days following the submission by Dr. Harris. The list will include the anticipated length of presentation of each witness (not counting time for questions from the committee and representatives of the positions) and contact information.

4. The Science Committee should reserve the right, following consultation with the minority and/or majority groups, to reduce the number of allowed witnesses or anticipated presentation times in order to ensure that the hearings are conducted in an efficient manner consistent with the limited time allotted for the hearings.

5. Following the submissions, the Committee through the Department of Education, shall issue invitations to witnesses listed and accepted by the Committee with an offer to reimburse the reasonable travel expenses of the witnesses.

6. At the time of the submission of witness lists, each side shall provide the Committee and the opposing side with suggested procedures for the conduct of the hearings themselves. Within __ days following these submissions, the Committee will issue a memo outlining specific procedures for the hearing and a time-table for calling witnesses.

7. The hearings shall commence on ________________ (We suggest April 21, given the fact that the April 14 -15 period is problematic for a number of people) and shall be held on each subsequent Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm until completed. The hearings shall be completed not later than 5:00 pm on ______ (May 7, if hearings start on April 21).

8. The hearings shall be conducted at __________________, and the Department of Education shall make arrangements to provide an official transcript of the proceedings.

9. Within ten business days following the end of the hearings, both sides will present to the committee (and to each other) suggested findings and conclusions.

10. The committee will issue its report to the Board on or before _________, 2005.

I recognize that Dr. Case's schedule may not allow for his full time involvement in this process. That is my case as well. For this reason I will be relying heavily on John Calvert, other members of the Minority group and others qualified to represent our position to manage the case for the Minority. Since we are a "minority," we can only assume that the majority has resources at least equal to if not greater than those available to us. A number of the majority have been quite vocal in their opposition to the minority position and have expended considerable efforts outside the committee process to advance that opposition. This includes written submissions by a number of experts against the minority position. Indeed, the writers of these opinions could very well comprise a list of witnesses that the Committee itself may wish to hear.

Thank you for your consideration of these suggestions.
For the Minority Proposals
William S. Harris, PhD
cc: John Calvert.
Proponents of Minority Proposals