CFB ISD board votes to deny formal prayer period required by Senate Bill 11

The Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District board on Feb. 5 voted 6-1 to adopt a resolution denying implementation of the Senate Bill 11 option that would establish a monitored period for prayer and religious readings during the school day.

Trustee Paul Gilmore moved the motion to "adopt a resolution denying a period of prayer and reading of religious text during the school day pursuant to Senate Bill 11," and Eliana Garza Rojas seconded. The motion passed by a vote of 6 in favor and 1 opposed.

Doctor Smolskis, who presented the item, summarized the statute and said a district policy to implement the bill would require written consent from participating students and employees, continuous monitoring by campus staff, separate scheduling in noninstructional time and designated spaces, and waivers releasing claims under state and federal law. Smolskis warned that adopting the policy would require additional staff time and facilities management.

Several trustees said the district already accommodates voluntary student and staff religious expression through existing Texas Education Code provisions, student clubs and the daily moment of silence. Trustee Marjorie Barnes and Trustee Randy Shachman expressed concern that the SB11 option would create significant administrative tracking and resource needs; Trustee Carolyn Benavides said she supports creating structured spaces for students to exercise religious practice.

The board's resolution directs the district to continue current practice rather than adopt the consent-and-monitor model described under SB11. The board noted the statutory deadline to act on the resolution is March 1; by voting to deny the SB11 procedure, the district will not implement the consent-based daily prayer/reading period described by the legislation.

The meeting record shows the motion passed 6-1; the transcript does not record an individual roll-call vote naming each trustee's vote.