Public commenter urges CCISD to consider state-funded chaplaincy program authorized by SB 763

During the public-comment portion of the Clear Creek ISD board meeting, Raul Esquierdo, representing the National School Chaplain Association, urged trustees to consider implementing the state-funded chaplaincy program created by Senate Bill 763.

Esquierdo described the law and told the board that districts implementing the program saw notable changes in other districts: "districts that did implement the chaplaincy program after 2 years saw a 37 percent increase in their graduation, 80 percent decrease in teen pregnancy, and 0 suicides," he said. He also listed other claimed declines in alcohol and drug consumption, discipline issues, school violence and bullying and said the program benefits teachers through higher job satisfaction and lower turnover.

The board did not debate or vote on the proposal during the public-comment period. District officials thanked Esquierdo for the information and noted that community input would be addressed by the superintendent as appropriate under Texas Open Meetings Act rules.

The transcript records Esquierdo’s assertions but does not provide source documents, data citations, or responses from district staff at the meeting. Any claims about program outcomes require external verification.