Arizona school board member sues school district after being told to stop quoting the Bible

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An Arizona school board member filed a lawsuit against her school district after receiving an email warning that her repeated use of Bible verses at meetings violated the establishment clause of the First Amendment. 

Key Players

Heather Rooks, a member of the school board of Peoria Unified School District (PUSD), in the Phoenix suburb where her four children are students, was elected to the position in November 2022 and has served on the board since January 2023. 

First Liberty Institute a conservative, Christian nonprofit based in Plano, Texas, focuses on litigation in First Amendment cases related to religion. 

Secular AZ, a nonprofit organization that supports the free expression of religion under the First Amendment, emphasizes that “government-endorsed religious expression,” such as the Pledge of Allegiance, violates the Constitution. The group focuses on the separation of church and state, while promoting the benefits of secularism.

Further Details

Since the PUSD’s first board meeting of the year, on Jan. 12, 2023, routine recitations of the Bible have accompanied Rooks’ statements. After winning the school board election, she referred to Joshua 1:9, thanking her supporters: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  

At a Feb. 9 meeting, Rooks opened her remarks by reciting Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.” 

Following Rooks’ comments, Secular AZ filed a complaint to the school board, comparing her recitation of the Bible to “unconstitutional proselytizing.” 

In response to the complaint, the board reportedly sent an email to its members, prohibiting the reading of scripture during board meetings. According to the lawsuit, the board restricted comments during meetings to “a brief summary of current events as it relates to service as a board member, such as school visits, recognizing students, staff, etc.,” with little tolerance for Rooks’ behavior.

However, Rooks went on to recite the Bible during other meetings in February, April, and May, leading to more complaints. Court documents indicate that the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a nonprofit that champions “matters relating to nontheism” and separation of church and state, also sent a letter to the school board on May 25, accusing Rooks of “using her position on the board to foist her personal religious beliefs upon district parents and community members.”

After “months of sustained external pressure from outside activist groups and internal pressure from the Board itself,” Rooks announced to the school board on July 13 that she would no longer quote the Bible at meetings, but she did allude to a threat of legal action, NBC News reported.

Outcome 

Rooks files federal lawsuit 

On Sept. 26, Rooks filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court against PUSD, alleging her First Amendment rights were violated. She claimed that her “practice accords with over 200 years of this Nation’s historical practices and understandings,” explaining that even George Washington “routinely recited scripture” while carrying out presidential duties. 

“Rooks’ use of quotations from a sacred and historical text — the world’s best-selling book — to solemnize public occasions and fortify herself to perform her official duties fits comfortably within a longstanding, well accepted tradition,” the lawsuit states. 

Rooks further said in a news release from First Liberty Institute that she found “quoting scripture out loud to be encouraging to myself and to many in attendance.” Despite the controversy she faced, Rooks expressed her appreciation for her elected position.

“I am grateful to be a part of the Peoria Unified School District board,” Rooks declared.

Secular AZ responds

Three days later, Secular AZ expressed disdain over Rooks’ lawsuit. 

“On behalf of Secular AZ, we find that the lawsuit filed by Heather Rooks against the Peoria School district is another in a long string of bullying behaviors aimed at intimidation of the Board, a usurpation of legitimate authority, and an enforcement of Christian nationalists’ dogma,” Jeanne Casteen, executive director of Secular AZ, said. 

While Rooks cited Article 2 of the Arizona Constitution in her claim, Secular AZ noted the provision’s mention of “being responsible for the abuse of that right” and emphasized the important balance between the establishment clause, which prevents government-mandated thought, and the free exercise of religion.

“In short, Rooks’ lawsuit is an attempt to force her religion onto children against the wishes of their parents. Religion should be taught at home by the parents not at a public-school board meeting by an unrelated person,” Casteen concluded.