The comment was part of a rapid-fire string of questions Rooks answered on a podcast

Peoria Unified Governing board President Heather Rooks shared many of her beliefs during a conservative podcast Sept. 9, one of them being that Bible reading should be mandated in public schools.

The statement created a stir on social media from many who support the separation of church and state.

Trina Berg, Peoria Unified teacher and former president of the teacher’s union, said it is OK if Rooks personally thinks that, but she should not use her position to try to bring that to the district.

“It is absolutely not OK to mandate Bible study in public schools. If they want to introduce a world religion elective class for our juniors and seniors, I think that would be amazing, but we don’t promote or ma

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