The Peoria Unified School District has replied to a federal lawsuit by a governing board member seeking the right to quote the Bible at certain times during public meetings.

The district is denying a claim by Heather Rooks that it is legal for her to do so during time set aside for general comments.

Lawyers for the Peoria school district say in court records that there are options for defending the lawsuit by Rooks over what her attorney has called censorship based on her viewpoint.

One is that Rooks hasn’t suffered any injury.

Another is that Rooks didn’t make a legal claim for which relief may be granted.

The district also says that outside counsel told the governing board it would be in their best interest to stop quoting the Bible, after two groups contacted the district to complain over public comments by Rooks.

The sides are due in federal court for a scheduling conference in early February.