Peoria Unified School District Administration Building Last month the Peoria Unified School District received a letter from the Freedom From Religion Foundation stating grounds of “imposing religion” on those in public attendance and if continued, “could subject the district to unnecessary liability and potential financial strain.” During Thursday’s meeting, Bible quoting board member, Heather Rooks, stated that she had received a letter from the school district directing her to stop reciting Bible verses during meetings. Rooks was the lone “hold out” at the meetings after receiving legal warnings about quoting scripture. At least one other board member also quoted scripture at meetings but ceased doing so after PUSD district’s legal team advised them not to quote scripture. But Rooks continued—until Thursday that is. “Based upon the district’s letter, I will refrain from reciting Bible verses at this time and will have my attorneys at First Liberty Institute handle this matter,” Rooks said. Rooks added that she was seeking legal advice from the conservative group, First Liberty Institute, an organization most noted for representing two owners of a bakery that refused to design a custom wedding cake for a lesbian couple in 2013. Rooks did not offer a statement from […]
