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Round Rock ISD board unanimously declines to adopt SB 11 'period of prayer' resolution
Summary
After legal staff summarized policy and statute, the Round Rock ISD board voted 7–0 to decline adopting a Senate Bill 11 resolution that would create a formal period for prayer and reading of religious texts during the school day, citing existing policies protecting voluntary student religious expression.
The Round Rock ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Feb. 17 to decline adoption of a resolution under Senate Bill 11 that would establish a district‑organized period of prayer and reading of religious texts during the school day.
District counsel Miss Hill reviewed existing board policy FNA (and related legal guidance) and summarized the requirements in Senate Bill 11 and Texas Education Code §25.0823. She said the statute requires parental consent forms that also waive the parents’ right to bring certain legal claims and directs that participating students be physically separated from nonparticipating students; the statute further restricts how a district may implement any such period. Miss Hill told trustees the administration does not recommend adopting the resolution and noted that current law and district policy already protect a student’s right to individually and voluntarily pray or meditate in school.
Trustee Zarate moved that the board decline to adopt a SB 11 resolution and was seconded; the board then conducted a roll‑call record vote in which all trustees voted yes. President Markham said he was grateful for the district’s existing policy protections and framed the decision as an example of local control.
Outcome: the motion to decline adoption of the resolution passed 7–0. No change to district policy was made; the administration said students retain the right to voluntary religious expression under existing state and district rules.
