While the U.S. Supreme Court has referred to the separation of church and state as a blurred barrier rather than a wall, it also states prayer and scripture should not “denigrate non-believers or religious minorities, threaten damnation, or preach conversion."
At the May 22 board meeting during the board comments section of the agenda, Hill raised eyebrows when she recited Bible verse Matthew 18:6, suggesting those who lead people away from Christ should be drowned in the sea: “But whoever causes one of these little ones — who believe in me — to stumble and sin by leading him away from my teaching, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”
Hill and Rooks have often recited scripture ever since the board voted 3-2 against creating new policy regarding transgender students in bathrooms and locker rooms on April 27.
The district’s attorney has advised board members not to quote scripture during public meetings. Board members David Sandoval and Melissa Ewing also have shared concerns about it. Ewing has reminded board members about the separation of church and state, and Sandoval has reiterated publicly the district’s legal counsel has advised against it, stating, “reciting scripture at a board meeting on this side of the dais goes against the Establishment Clause.”
Meet Philip Haldiman is an award-winning journalist who most recently took first place for investigative reporting in 2023 from Arizona Newspapers Association. He joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2015, covering Sun City West his first year. Since 2016, he has covered the city of Peoria. Prior to coming to INI, he was a reporter with The Arizona Republic for seven years, covering numerous cities throughout the Valley. Before that, he was a freelance writer.
Community: Haldiman spearheads the Peoria Independent Hometown Heroes Awards program, honoring local individuals and businesses that give back to the community. He has hosted local candidate forums over the years and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists. Haldiman also served as a member of the Journalism Program Community Advisory Board at Glendale Community College. Outside journalism, Haldiman served as a member of the city of Peoria Complete Count Committee for the Census, 2019-2020. Lastly, he has served as a member of his HOA governing board since 2021.
Education: Arizona State University with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications and a BA in Theater.
Random Fact: Haldiman is a fourth-generation Arizonan as well as wrote and produced an autobiographical comic book about his time spent in Hollywood and his life as a cult film star.
Hobbies: He enjoys hiking Arizona’s mountainous landscapes and is currently working on a play for the stage.
Peoria Unified School School District,
Arizona,
governing board,
Rebecca Hill,
Bible,
biblical,
scripture,
public school,
Heather Rooks,
separation of church and state
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