ACLU Demands Records On Hugoton Assemblies

The American Civil Liberties Union is demanding more information from a southwest Kansas school district about assemblies this week that featured a speaker from a creationist group.

The ACLU of Kansas and Western Missouri is requesting that the Hugoton district release emails between its staff and employees of the Oklahoma-based Creation Truth Foundation. The ACLU also wants copies of materials used at the assemblies and other documents.

Hugoton Superintendent Mark Crawford said Tuesday that his district would fulfill the ACLU’s request. But he said the group tried to intimidate the district into canceling the assemblies.

The ACLU criticized the assemblies as an opportunity to promote creationism. Crawford said creationism wasn’t mentioned even though speaker Matt Miles is a foundation instructor.