Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
PSJA trustees unanimously opt out of new Texas daily‑prayer option under SB11
Summary
The PSJA Board of Trustees voted unanimously to opt out of Senate Bill 11/Texas Education Code §25.0823, electing to retain existing policies rather than establish a daily time for prayer and religious‑text reading at campuses.
On a recorded roll‑call vote Feb. 23, the Pharr‑San Juan‑Alamo ISD Board of Trustees unanimously voted to opt out of the provision in Senate Bill 11 that allows school districts to designate a daily period for prayer and the reading of religious texts at each campus. Dr. Rebeca Garza summarized the statutory requirement and the March 1, 2026 deadline for boards to take a recorded vote either to adopt the statutory resolution establishing the daily period or to decline to do so.
School Board Attorney Andrea Vela advised trustees on legal effect, saying the practical result of opting out is to preserve the district’s current policies and procedures regarding prayer: "The legal effect of opting out is that you essentially would keep the same policies and procedures that you have in place regarding prayer in the School District," Vela said. Trustee Ramona Barron made the motion to opt out, Carlos Villegas seconded it, and the board recorded unanimous 'yes' votes from present trustees.
