Castleberry ISD board votes 4–1 to adopt attorney‑recommended resolution on Senate Bill 11
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Summary
After legal guidance, trustees approved a resolution stating the district will not adopt a mandatory daily prayer/reading time under Senate Bill 11 and reaffirmed students' existing constitutional rights; the measure passed 4–1.
The Castleberry ISD board considered Senate Bill 11 and voted to adopt the attorney‑recommended resolution declining to implement the law’s daily, district‑administered prayer/reading option at this time.
Mr. Jackson summarized SB11 provisions requiring boards to record a vote by March 1 either to adopt a daily period for prayer and religious reading or to choose an alternative. He said district counsel recommended the alternative resolution because students already retain First Amendment protections under current board policy and because implementing the bill late in the school year would be operationally difficult and require wide stakeholder input.
Trustees discussed parental consent, teacher participation and practical implementation (timing, instructional time, after‑school programs). After debate, a motion to approve the attorney‑recommended resolution carried on a recorded vote of 4–1.
Why it matters: SB11 creates a new decision point for school boards statewide; the board chose to affirm existing policy protections while deferring adoption of a daily, district‑led prayer/reading time at this stage.
What’s next: The resolution can be revisited at any time; TEA guidance and legal precedent may influence future board action.