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Plano ISD trustees decline to adopt districtwide designated prayer policy under SB11
Summary
The Plano ISD board unanimously approved a resolution that reaffirms voluntary private prayer rights while declining to adopt a district policy establishing a designated daily period of prayer or reading under SB11 (Texas Education Code 25.0823). The vote followed an administration recommendation and a reading of the resolution by the board secretary.
The Plano Independent School District Board of Trustees on Feb. 17 unanimously adopted a resolution declining to adopt a districtwide designated period of prayer or reading under Senate Bill 11 (Texas Education Code 25.0823). Deputy Superintendent Celinda Freeman told the board the administration recommended a resolution that "reiterates the district's encouragement of voluntary individual prayer and religious reading" and emphasizes parental control over religious education.
Board Secretary Tara Lance read the resolution aloud before trustees voted. The resolution states that the board "shall not adopt a policy providing a specific designated period of prayer and reading of a religious text during the school day" and reaffirms students' existing rights to voluntary, individual religious expression as allowed under state law. Trustee [motion maker] moved adoption and the motion passed with all seven trustees recorded in favor.
Why it matters: The resolution signals Plano ISD's decision to preserve existing practices that allow voluntary student religious expression during noninstructional time while opting not to implement a newly authorized, districtwide daily prayer/reading period. The item was presented as an action required by state statute and adopted without amendment.
What the board did next: The resolution takes effect immediately upon passage, per its language read to the board.
