Perry Names Barbara Cargill Chair of Education Board

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The governor made the announcement Friday. During the legislative session, Democrats blocked his original nominee for the chairmanship, Gail Lowe.

Cargill is a science teacher and was elected to the board in 2004 to represent District 8 in East Texas.

She is a Christian who disputes the theory of evolution and voted to require that the theory's weaknesses be taught in classrooms. She is considered to be one of the more conservative members of the board. She is up for re-election 2012.

The State Board of Education is responsible for determining the content of textbooks, the test standards for Texas public schools and how the Permanent School Fund is managed.