Legislators will consider a bill that’d set aside a “moment of silence” in Iowa schools at the beginning of every day. House Speaker Brent Siegrist (see’-grist), a republican from Council Bluffs, says it’s an idea that’s now law in Virginia. Siegrist says some kids will use the time to pray, while others will take time to reflect. He says he’s talked with several students who are interested in the issue. Siegrist says “kids are pretty stressed these days” and he says they can use a moment of silence.Siegrist was a teacher and coach before he was elected a leader in the legislature. Siegrist admits teachers could have a “moment of silence” in their classroom now, if they wanted to.But Siegrist says a teacher probably would get complaints from parents, so a law would give ’em the authority to have a minute of reflection everyday. Siegrist says the proposal may be altered to only apply to older kids, as some kindergarten and elementary students may be too young to “reflect.”Siegrist says there may be an attempt to add onto the bill, requiring the recitation of the “Pledge of Allegiance” every day, too.The Virginia law has been upheld by the courts, while other proposals calling for prayer in the schools have been tossed out on constitutional grounds.
Iowa's Radio News Network
