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Pastor Urges Elgin ISD to Post Ten Commandments, Offers Copies After New State Law
Summary
During public comment pastor Philip Thomas urged Elgin ISD to accept copies of the Ten Commandments for classrooms under a recently passed state law, arguing the principles are foundational; the board reminded him of time limits and took no action.
Philip Thomas, pastor of Journey Church in Elgin, used his allotted public comment time at the Aug. 18 Elgin ISD board meeting to urge trustees to accept and post copies of the Ten Commandments under a recently passed state law.
Thomas said he understands the issue is "divisive" but argued the principles reflected in the Decalogue are "vital to understanding the founding of our country" and that his church would like to provide a copy of the Ten Commandments "as presented in the new state law to each classroom in the Elgin School District." He framed the proposal as civic and historical, not a requirement that students adopt a particular faith.
During and after his remarks the board chair reminded speakers of the five-minute public comment limit; the president also said the board could not take action on a complaint during the public comment period and directed those seeking formal resolution to the district's grievance process and related policies (DGBA, FNG, GF). The transcript records no board motion or vote related to Thomas's offer.
Status: public comment only; no action was taken. District staff and board members later reiterated that formal policy changes or classroom materials would be handled through administrative processes and, where appropriate, the district's grievance channels.
