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Local chaplain urges Chapel Hill ISD to explore volunteer school chaplaincy under SB 763
Summary
A certified chaplain urged trustees to examine a volunteer chaplaincy program authorized by Senate Bill 763, citing mental-health, crisis and character-education benefits and leaving informational materials with the district.
During the public comment period, Scotty Wallace, a certified chaplain with the National School Chaplaincy Association, asked the board to consider implementing a volunteer chaplaincy program authorized by Senate Bill 763 (signed 06/18/2023). Wallace described the program as "holistic care" for pre-K–12 campuses and said it complements—not replaces—professional counseling.
Wallace outlined specific benefits: emotional and mental-health support, character education, crisis care/pastoral presence during loss or trauma, community-building, and staff support. He provided the board and superintendent with an informational packet and urged trustees to "investigate it, vet it" and consider how a chaplaincy program might look at Chapel Hill ISD. "A chaplain's work is not about promoting a particular religion, but...offering spiritual and emotional care to people of all faiths and cultures," he told the board.
The comment was received as informational; trustees did not take formal action at the meeting. Wallace offered to discuss program design and support implementation if the district pursues the idea.
