Board Rules NE Iowa School Choir May Sing Religious Music

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Board of Education has ruled that public school choirs may sing religious music.

The board voted 5-3 on Thursday to reject a challenge filed by the parents of a girl who recently graduated from the New Hampton Community School District. The parents alleged that the singing of such songs as "In This Very Room" inappropriately endorses Christianity.

The local school board consulted with attorneys in allowing the choir to continue singing religious music.

An administrative law judge recommended that the school district be allowed to continue the musical selections. A state Education Department spokeswoman said the state has no administrative rules regarding religious music in schools.