Katy ISD trustees debate formal policy to limit Sunday school activities, stress protections for religious observance

Trustee Roxanne Kuzella proposed a change to Katy Independent School District’s FM(Local) student activities policy to prohibit scheduling school‑related activities on Sundays except in unavoidable, superintendent‑approved circumstances and to state explicitly that students may not be penalized for missing Sunday activities for religious reasons.

Kuzella framed the request as a response to a parent complaint and argued the policy would “level the playing field” across campuses and protect students’ opportunity to worship. “Given a school related activity receives approval due to an unavoidable circumstance on a Sunday, a student shall not be penalized as a result of missing part or all of that activity on a Sunday,” Kuzella read as part of the proposed draft.

Superintendent Doctor Grigorski and athletics and fine‑arts staff told the board the district generally follows UIL guidance on Sunday prohibitions and that most athletic activity is already governed by UIL rules that limit Sunday practices. Katy ISD Athletic Director (Coach) Carter told trustees the UIL constitution prohibits athletic practices on Sundays for most sports; he said exceptions are limited and that travel/practice related to certain state tournaments can create rare, allowed Sunday activity (for golf, tennis and cross‑country state qualifiers under UIL guidance).

Director of Fine Arts Damon Archer and other staff noted some third‑party cheer and fine‑arts competitions are commonly scheduled on Sundays and that those events can create conflicts that require district review and approval. Board members asked whether the draft policy would unintentionally prohibit or complicate legitimate activities such as community recognition events, choir performances, or third‑party competitions that fall on Sundays.

Trustees were split on process and content. Several members urged referral of the draft to the policy committee and district counsel for redrafting to align precisely with UIL and state legal standards; others said the board should act promptly to place a clear district standard in policy to prevent students from feeling pressured to attend. Trustee Champagne and others emphasized protecting students’ mental health and the community expectation for a common “day of rest.”

President Lance Redmond said the item will remain on the consent/discussion calendar for the board’s regular meeting unless the sponsors ask to refer it to the policy committee; trustees agreed to leave time between the work‑study and the next regular meeting to schedule a committee review if desired.

The draft policy, as presented, referenced UIL guidance and a TEA/UIL “side‑by‑side” document and cited legal principles on free exercise of religion (GA legal language referenced in the discussion). District counsel and the superintendent noted the draft included phrasing that echoes guidance but is not statutory law and suggested the board consider committee review to tighten legal references and define approval procedures for exceptions.

Discussion points and next steps

- The proposal would (as written) prohibit Sunday scheduling except for approved unavoidable circumstances and bar penalties for students who miss Sunday activities for religious reasons. - Staff said the district currently follows UIL rules; athletics staff said Sunday practice is generally prohibited and only a few exceptions exist for travel/competition; fine‑arts staff said some competitions and non‑UIL events commonly use Sundays. - Trustees asked for legal counsel and administrative input and debated whether to refer the item to the policy committee or advance to a vote at the next regular meeting.

Trustees did not vote on the policy change during the work‑study session. The item remained on the board calendar for the next regular meeting pending either a committee review or full‑board consideration.