The controversial discussion of an instructor having taught creationism in the science classroom is expected to continue during the public comment section of an upcoming school board meeting.

Community High School District 128 officials have said they have spoken with science teacher Beau Schaefer, and confirmed that he was teaching creationist beliefs at Libertyville High School. Schaefer has not returned calls seeking comment.

“Steps have been taken to ensure that this teacher will no longer use creationism as part of his classroom instruction,” said Mary Todoric, director of communications. “Furthermore, the district has taken appropriate steps to ensure that all science teachers are not referencing or teaching creationism.”

Even so, Buffalo Grove-based activist Rob Sherman said he plans to speak at Community High School District 128’s school board meeting on Tuesday because he wants to represent five parents and the sibling of an LHS student who have contacted him out of concern that their students might have been graded on their knowledge of Schaefer’s religious teachings.

“It has nothing to do be with being dissatisfied,” Sherman said. “I’m protecting conquered territory and assisting parents who want the teacher fired by articulating their concerns. What I’m trying to do is remind the board with my presence that creationism in the classroom is undesirable and according to the Supreme Court it is illegal. ”

For example, in a quiz allegedly assigned by Schaefer, 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 11th grade science assessment framework, Sherman said.

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that creationism is not scientific, but is a religious Christian belief that God created mankind and that it is unconstitutional to advance a particular religious belief in the classroom.

However, dissenters such as Justice Antonin Scalia and Chief Justice William Rehnquist have said that decision goes against protecting educational freedom.

The school board is scheduled to go into executive session to discuss the employment of an employee and take action on that discussion Tuesday evening, but school officials would not say which staff member’s employment is in question.

However, Sherman has said he has been hearing from people on both sides of the argument — some saying they want creationism to be taught in the classroom and that they are expected to speak at the Tuesday meeting in support of Schaefer.

“Anyone choosing to attend the board meeting has the opportunity to speak during the “invitation for public comment” section of the agenda,” Todoric said. “There will be no discussion of the science curriculum or Mr. Schaefer… Personnel matters are never discussed publicly.”

Sherman is approaching the 25th anniversary of his pro-atheist advocacy work, which began with a presentation at the Zion City Council, when he asked the board to remove the Christian symbol of the cross from the city seal, which has since been removed.

The meeting is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 22 at the Vernon Hills High School Library, 145 N. Lakeview Parkway in Vernon Hills.