Canutillo ISD board votes to post Ten Commandments in classrooms to comply with state law

The Canutillo ISD Board of Trustees voted to comply with Texas Senate Bill 10 and post Ten Commandments posters in classrooms after a brief public comment and legal briefing.

Superintendent Jose Borrego told trustees the requirement comes from state law and is not a local initiative, and asked the board for direction on how to proceed. "This is not a locally initiated item," Borrego said, adding the district must balance compliance with the law and equitable treatment of students and staff.

Public commenter Dionysio Dorado urged the board to make the posters and prayer part of school life, calling the display "essential" and linking the pledge and 'In God We Trust' to public tradition. "S B 10 and 11 on posting the commandments and allowing prayer in schools is essential," Dorado said during open forum.

Trustee Barnes moved that the district follow the law "so that we do not hold our district at financial liability," citing the risk of legal fees and enforcement. "If we don't comply, we are at risk of being sued," Barnes said. The motion was seconded and the board called the vote.

Legal counsel Steve Blank told trustees that the district does not have to spend district funds if compliant posters are donated and that a valid donation that meets the statute's framing and preparation requirements will satisfy the law. He also said the statute provides that the attorney general is to defend districts that display the Ten Commandments. "The district does not have to expend funds to purchase any posters," Blank said. "If a donation satisfies the compliance requirements with Senate Bill 10, then the senate bill requires them to be posted in the classrooms." He added the attorney general is statutorily expected to defend districts that comply.

The motion to comply passed on a roll-call vote (Yes: Barnes; Yes: Bontonado; Yes: Martinez; Yes: Ortega; No: Rodriguez; Yes: Cuniga). Administration said donated posters meeting the law's specifications are on hand to meet the requirement and that the donor indicated they would provide any additional posters needed.

Trustees asked legal counsel whether additional litigation was possible; counsel said he could not predict new challenges but noted recent Fifth Circuit rulings affecting similar statutes. Several trustees also emphasized respect for religious diversity and reiterated that the statutory posting did not authorize classroom recitation or mandatory observance.

The board's vote directs administration to proceed with implementation consistent with the statute and with guidance from legal counsel. The item concluded without further action beyond the direction to implement. The meeting then moved on to other agenda items.