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Fabens ISD board declines to adopt SB 11 prayer/reading policy after questions about consent and logistics
Summary
After a detailed presentation on Senate Bill 11's requirements, the Fabens ISD board voted to decline adopting a district policy that would schedule a daily period for prayer or religious text reading, citing concerns over consent logistics, instructional minutes and accommodation of multiple faiths.
The board heard a detailed summary of Senate Bill 11 and its implementation requirements, including mandatory consent forms, administrative procedures to keep nonparticipants out of earshot, and a state attorney-general defense for districts that adopt such policies.
The presenter (superintendent) emphasized that the policy would be voluntary and required a recorded vote to adopt. "No student or employee may participate in a period of prayer or religious text reading unless the student's, parent or guardian... submits a signed consent form," the presenter said while explaining the statute's consent requirements.
Trustees asked how the district would schedule the time without reducing instructional minutes, how it would accommodate multiple faiths, and who would handle additional paperwork and supervision. One trustee warned that widespread accommodation could be administratively burdensome.
A trustee moved to decline adopting the SB 11 policy; the motion was seconded and the board voted in favor to decline. The board noted that current voluntary, student-led opportunities and existing moments of silence would remain available without the additional consent and administrative requirements imposed by SB 11.
