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Flatonia ISD board declines to adopt new state prayer policy, citing administrative burden
Summary
Trustees voted 5–0 not to adopt a policy implementing Section 25.0823 of the Education Code, saying the statutory language would impose additional administrative steps without adding practical benefit to the district's existing voluntary prayer options.
At its Feb. 12 meeting, the Flatonia ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously not to adopt a local policy implementing Section 25.0823 of the Texas Education Code, which requires campuses to provide a period for prayer or reading of religious texts. During discussion Pastor Tim Rowell said he read the bill and concluded that "it has one line to allow prayer and then follows up with about ten lines of procedures, or 'to-do' lists, for districts to implement to assure compliance," adding that the extra procedures could make prayer more difficult to manage in practice.
Several trustees said they support prayer opportunities for staff and students but did not want the district to take on extra administrative burdens. Trustee LaVerne Dornak said she agreed in principle with prayer in schools but found the legislative requirements "more complicated," and Blanca Villanueva said there was no need to micromanage existing practices. Dan Sullivan moved to not approve adoption of the policy; the motion passed 5–0.
