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Resident tells Comal ISD board prayer at meetings is unconstitutional; calls district "Christ‑centered" practice exclusionary
Summary
At public comment, resident Ben Thompson urged the board to stop opening meetings with prayer, calling the practice unconstitutional and alleging district leadership described the district as 'Christ‑centered.' He also urged recycling in schools.
Ben Thompson, a community member who addressed the board during the public‑comment period May 15, said the district’s practice of opening meetings with prayer is unconstitutional and exclusionary.
“Religious practices in this setting are unconstitutional,” Thompson said during his three‑minute comment. “This is a public school district, not a pulpit.”
Thompson told trustees he previously raised the issue and that he had discussed the matter privately with Superintendent Dr. Chapman and Board President Russ Garner. He also alleged that when he reported the issue to the district’s HR director, that official described Comal ISD as a “Christ‑centered district” and used the board’s invocation as an example. Thompson said continued practice of board prayer sends an exclusionary message and, in his view, violates the law.
Before addressing prayer, Thompson also urged the district to install recycling bins at all schools, saying other districts he has worked with provide classroom paper recycling and that Comal ISD could set an example for students.
The board did not respond to comments during the public‑comment period; its published rules state members will listen but not engage in debate or answer questions during that segment.
Thompson framed his remarks as both a legal concern and an appeal for inclusive practice; the board did not take formal action on the remarks during the meeting.
