H.3. Resolution Regarding a Period of Prayer and Reading of Religious Texts During the School Day Description: Background Information and Rationale: The 89th Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 11, which requires that each school board in Texas take a record vote within six months of the effective date of the act, on whether to adopt a resolution regarding a period of prayer and reading of religi

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

H.3. Resolution Regarding a Period of Prayer and Reading of Religious Texts During the School Day Description: Background Information and Rationale: The 89th Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 11, which requires that each school board in Texas take a record vote within six months of the effective date of the act, on whether to adopt a resolution regarding a period of prayer and reading of religious text during the school day in accordance with Texas Education Code § 25.0823. If a school board decides to adopt such a resolution, the period of prayer and religious reading must follow the provisions set out in Section 25.083 The Administration does not recommend that the Board adopt such a resolution. State law, federal law, and White Settlement ISD Board Policy already allow students to engage in prayer, reading of religious text, and religious expression on school property and during the school day. Citing legal authority, Board Policy FNA (Legal). Board Policy FNA (Local) states: "The District shall treat a student's voluntary expression of a religious viewpoint, if any, on an otherwise permissible subject in the same manner the District treats a student's voluntary expression of a secular or other viewpoint on an otherwise permissible subject and shall not discriminate against the student based on a religious viewpoint expressed by the student on an otherwise permissible subject." The local policy further provides that students may organize prayer groups, religious clubs, and religious gatherings, before, during, and after school to the same extent that students are permitted to organize other noncurricular student groups.

This motion is scored as RESTRAINS_GOVERNMENT (Impact Weight: 2.4/10). Under the Bastiat Liberty Watchdog Index, voting YES on measures that cap or reduce ad valorem tax burdens, expand taxpayer exemptions, retire debt early, enforce competitive bidding caps, or remove regulatory/zoning barriers to private property rights earns a positive Pro-Liberty score.