2025-02-03
Heather Rooks, an Arizona school board member, has been at the center of a legal battle over whether she can quote Bible verses during public board meetings. A federal judge recently ruled that the Peoria Unified School District (PUSD) did not violate federal law when it advised Rooks to stop using Scripture in her remarks. Rooks, who took office in January 2023, began incorporating Bible verses into her remarks during the board comments segment of public school board meetings.
Her quotations drew attention, particularly from the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), a Wisconsin-based organization advocating for church-state separation. The FFRF sent a formal complaint letter to the Peoria Unified School District, arguing that Rooks' practice of quoting Scripture during official board meetings was unconstitutional and violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from endorsing a particular religion. Following the complaint, the school district consulted its legal counsel, who advised against allowing Rooks to continue her practice of quoting Bible verses. Emails were sent to her and other board members recommending that she refrain from using Scripture in her remarks to avoid potential legal challenges.
Erin Smith, First Liberty Institute, which represents Rooks, stated that the school board has reversed course and will now permit her to quote Bible verses "going forward." "Heather plans to resume saying the Bible verses at the next board meeting, and appeal the district court's ruling to ensure her speech remains protected," Smith said in a statement earlier this week.