Belton ISD board votes 7–0 to decline adopting Senate Bill 11 period-of-prayer policy

The Belton Independent School District Board of Trustees voted 7–0 on Feb. 23 to approve a resolution declining to adopt a policy under Texas Education Code section 25.0823, the statute implementing Senate Bill 11, which requires school boards to take a record vote on whether to adopt an option for a period of prayer and reading of religious texts.

District staff, led in the presentation by Cassandra/Doctor Spearman, told trustees that SB11 would impose three main operational requirements: signed consent from every parent and staff member for any student or staff participation; the activity must occur outside instructional time; and it cannot occur in the physical presence of anyone who has not consented. The administration recommended the board decline to adopt the SB11 option, noting that current district policy already protects voluntary religious expression when it does not disrupt instruction.

Public comments before the vote included Amy Longfield, who urged the board to decline adoption because of added paperwork and the need for separate spaces and funding, saying the requirement would increase burden on teachers. Barbara Huffman and student Anna Huffman spoke separately about unrelated resource shortcomings in the Lake Belton wrestling program (see separate coverage), but both reaffirmed community engagement in district policy debates.

During board discussion, policy committee members and trustees repeatedly raised practical concerns about how staff and students would know who had consented and how the district would prevent accidental exposures to non-consenting individuals. Trustee Aaron (policy committee member) warned that SB11’s consent and presence rules could unintentionally restrict students’ existing freedoms rather than expand them. Multiple trustees said the district’s current policy already allows voluntary prayer and religious expression when not during instructional time and not disruptive.

Trustee Norwood moved and Trustee Beck seconded the resolution declining to adopt the SB11 option; the motion passed 7–0. Board members said they will include an explanatory follow-up for families about the district’s current policy and rights.

What’s next: the district placed the local policy revision (FNA local / F N A local) on the consent agenda to clarify existing policy language, and staff said they will follow up with communications to parents explaining current rights and procedures.