An activist claims that a Libertyville High School teacher has been violating state board of education standards by comparing creationist beliefs to evolution in the classroom.

Buffalo Grove based activist Rob Sherman told the Community High School District 128 school board this week that a student’s older sibling e-mailed Sherman, alleging that a biology and human genetics teacher has been promoting creationist beliefs while discrediting evolution.

“A teacher is teaching that creationism and intelligent design is more relevant than evolution,” Sherman said. “You cannot compare and contrast creationism and evolution in a public classroom. If the facts bear out that he is teaching this, I’m asking you to determine the appropriate response. Maybe you need to get someone else in there to unteach everything (the teacher) has taught them.”

Sherman, who is also working to garner support for a state law repealing the Moment of Silence, said he raised the issue in District 128 out of the concern that young minds may be influenced by an authority figure.

“I am expressing grave concern and frustration that this is going on in a class,” Sherman said. “There’s a perception among students that it’s okay if a teacher is doing something in a classroom.”

For example, in a quiz allegedly assigned by the teacher, Sherman claims some questions lead students to creationist beliefs, swaying them toward the notion that evolution is not scientific. That goes against the Illinois State Board of Education’s 11-th grade science assessment framework, Sherman said.

Superintendent Prentiss Lea said he plans to investigate the matter.

“I would first talk with the teacher,” Lea said. “If we know who the student is, we may talk with the student and possibly the student’s parents, but we may not need to.”

School Board President Pat Groody agreed that the district should look into Sherman’s request.

“If any resident or parent in our community comes to the board with a concern, we have to follow up,” Groody said.