Fort Sam Houston ISD board votes 4–1 not to adopt prayer/reading resolution under state law

The Fort Sam Houston Independent School District Board of Trustees voted 4–1 on Feb. 18 to accept the superintendent’s recommendation not to adopt a resolution or policy that would require a period of prayer or the reading of the Bible or other religious text in district schools, as permitted by Senate Bill 11 (89th Texas Legislature) and codified at Texas Education Code Sec. 25.0823.

The motion to decline adoption was made by Board Member Dr. LaToya Sizer and seconded by Board Member Willie White Jr.; President Andrea Nicholas, Secretary COL(R) Aaron J. Braxton II, Sizer and White voted yes. Vice President COL Rebecca Zinnante cast the lone dissenting vote. The board’s public record reflects the motion carried by a 4–1 margin.

The superintendent’s staff presented the recommendation during the regular meeting and cited the statutory timetable: the board was recording its decision within six months of the law taking effect, per the legal requirement noted in the agenda materials. The action was taken in open session after the board’s discussion of the item.

The meeting minutes record the board’s vote and show that the decision was procedural: the board formally declined to adopt a districtwide policy requiring prayer or readings of religious text, rather than directing a new policy or practice be implemented. The board did not adopt substitute language or a separate resolution at the meeting.

What happens next: the board’s recorded vote closes the item for this meeting; any future consideration of a policy on this subject would require a separate agenda item and public discussion.