Boerne ISD board directs staff to draft policy under Texas’ SB 11 on voluntary prayer and religious reading

The Boerne Independent School District Board of Trustees voted Feb. 23 to direct staff to draft a policy under Texas Education Code §25.0823, part of Senate Bill 11, that would create a voluntary daily period for student prayer and reading of religious texts outside instructional time.

Legal counsel Dr. O'Hare told trustees the law requires a recorded board vote by March 1 on whether to adopt such a resolution and summarized legal limits: students have the right to private, voluntary religious expression but the law would add operational requirements, including written parent consent and strict separation of nonparticipating students. “Senate bill 11 became effective on 09/01/2025,” Dr. O'Hare said, and emphasized that district policy would need to address logistics and compliance.

Trustees debated practical and equity issues. Trustee Rich Senna moved to approve the district taking the step to adopt a policy (option B), saying the measure would create space for voluntary religious activity and that parental consent and the ability to rescind policy later provided needed safeguards. Trustee Courtney Daughter Bruce and others raised concerns about the potential for marginalized students to feel excluded and the staffing or monitoring burden such a program could impose. Superintendent Dr. Kraft and other trustees said any implementation would follow the board’s normal policy development process, including committee review and first and second readings before final approval.

The motion to direct administration to draft a policy passed after a formal mover and seconder were recorded; the president announced the motion carried. Trustees framed the action as the board’s decision to explore and prepare an implementation plan — not an immediate change to daily schedules. District leaders said the policy, if finalized, would be designed to preserve student choice, protect instructional time and follow state guidance and attorney-general resources.

Next steps: administration will work with the policy committee and legal counsel to draft language, present it for board review and subject it to the district’s normal notice, comment and reading process. The board noted any policy could be rescinded at a future meeting if it proved impractical or contrary to district goals.