McAllen ISD trustees decline to establish daily prayer time after broad community opposition

McAllen ISD trustees voted 6-0 to decline establishing a districtwide daily prayer and religious-reading period under Texas Senate Bill 11 after a sustained public-comment period in which parents, students, teachers and faith leaders urged the board to reject the measure.

Hundreds of pages of public-comment speakers argued the bill would single out students and could turn teachers into de facto religious leaders. Hershel Patel, a parent of McAllen ISD students, told the board he feared the measure would create visible divisions among students and weaken the district's commitment to inclusion. "We never ever want a child to go hungry," Patel said while addressing nutrition concerns earlier in the comment period; regarding SB 11 he said the district should "teach our children the difference between treats and real food" and protect equity in schools. (Patel's comments on nutrition were part of the same public-comment block.)

Several other speakers made direct constitutional and practical objections. Rabbi Nathan Farb, who said he represents the local Jewish community, told trustees SB 11 "takes teachers out of their classroom role and turns them potentially into preachers and ministers," and warned parents who opt their children into a program could lose the ability to object to what is taught. Tayah Gaioso, a senior at McAllen High School, said requiring families to opt in or opt out for participation would "effectively identify which students participate and which do not," risking isolation or bullying for younger students.

School staff and union representatives also urged the board to oppose the resolution. Sabeta Nguma, president of McAllen AFT, said the district already respects students' religious freedom and that the bill would add a state-mandated use of instructional time. Celia Juarez, a retired McAllen ISD teacher and AFT executive-board member, suggested a moment of silence as an alternative and flagged paperwork and lost instructional time as practical downsides.

Administrators recommended a recorded vote to either adopt the SB 11 resolution or formally decline to establish daily prayer time. Trustees Delagarza Lopez moved to decline the daily-prayer vote, with Trustee Regalado seconding. The motion passed with a 6-0 tally.

The decision is timely: public commenters referenced the law and a March 1 administrative deadline in urging quick action. Board materials and administrators noted the district must record its choice under the statute; the board's action records the district's formal decision to decline the program. The board did not adopt an alternate policy establishing a districtwide prayer period.

The board moved on to other agenda items following the vote; trustees did not reverse or amend the decision during the meeting. The district will maintain its current practices, which speakers and administrators said include voluntary prayer and a daily moment of silence.