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Alief ISD board declines to adopt Senate Bill 11 policy, reaffirms one-minute moment of silence
Summary
After discussion and questions about statutory requirements, the board adopted an administration-backed resolution declining to implement Senate Bill 11's daily prayer/reading policy and reaffirming the district's existing one-minute moment of silence; the vote passed with two trustees recorded as opposed.
Alief ISD trustees approved a resolution on Feb. 17 that declines to adopt the additional daily period for prayer and reading of religious texts created by Senate Bill 11 and instead reaffirms the district's long-standing one-minute moment of silence following pledges.
Deputy Superintendent Dr. Charlie Garcia told trustees the resolution is based on legislation codified at Texas Education Code 25.0823 and that the district already provides a daily moment of silence after the Pledge of Allegiance and the Texas flag. "This action maintains the district's long standing practice of religious neutrality while safeguarding individual freedom of conscience and voluntary religious expression," Garcia said.
A staff member explained that the law requires boards to decide by March 1 whether they will provide the specific daily period described in SB11; if a district opts in it must adopt statutory language and implement administrative requirements for participation, including opt-in processes and protections to avoid nonparticipants being within earshot. The administration presented a resolution that declines adoption of the SB11 policy and instead confirms the district's existing practice of a one-minute moment of silence.
Trustees had differing views about whether the one-minute period is sufficient and whether the board had discussed the item in committee. Some expressed concern it might not fully satisfy SB11 if the district were to be challenged; others noted the policy committee had reviewed the resolution in advance. Trustee Moreno moved and Trustee Spurlock seconded the resolution. The transcript records two votes in opposition and no abstentions; the motion passed. The board then adjourned to closed session at 10:21 p.m.
