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Veribest ISD board votes unanimously to decline state-required daily prayer policy
Summary
The Veribest ISD Board of Trustees voted 7–0 on Feb. 16 to adopt a resolution declining to adopt a policy that would require campuses to provide a period of prayer and Bible (or other religious text) reading, per Senate Bill 11 and Texas Education Code §25.0823.
The Veribest Independent School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Feb. 16 to adopt a resolution stating the district will not implement a campus policy requiring a period of prayer or reading of the Bible or other religious text as contemplated by Senate Bill 11.
Board President Mark Kellermeier moved "to adopt the resolution as presented that the district will not adopt said policy," and Trustee Dalena Freeman seconded the motion. The motion passed 7–0. The resolution references Senate Bill 11 and Section 25.0823 of the Texas Education Code, which provide for record votes on local board decisions about policies that would create periods for prayer and religious readings on campus.
Board members recorded votes were: Mark Schwartz, Mark Kellermeier, Dan Reed, Tony Rojo, Brady Bates, Dalena Freeman and Thadd Martin (yes, 7–0). No public comments on the item were recorded in the meeting minutes. The board took the vote as a formal resolution recorded in the minutes; no additional action on implementation was indicated.
The board's action makes clear the district will not adopt the specific campus policy described by the state legislation. The district said the resolution was adopted "as presented that the district will not adopt said policy."
