SAN ANTONIO — Most San Antonio-area school districts have declined to adopt a daily period of prayer allowed under Texas Senate Bill 11, opting not to implement the policy before a March 1 deadline.
The law, passed during last year’s regular legislative session, permits school districts to establish a “period of prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious text” in public schools with parental consent. Texas education code already allows students to pray or read religious texts individually during noninstructional time if it does not disrupt school activities.
Districts that have voted against adopting a designated prayer period include San Antonio ISD, North East ISD, Alamo Heights ISD, Harlandale ISD, Southwest ISD, Southside ISD, Somerset ISD, East Central ISD, Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD, Medina Valley ISD and Lackland ISD.
School officials cited concerns about potential legal liability and logistical challenges. At Southwest ISD, board members voted unanimously against the measure after discussing possible impacts on staffing and campus operations. At Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD, trustees raised questions about scheduling, parental consent tracking and supervision.
In September, Ken Paxton urged districts to adopt the policy and said his office would defend schools that do so.
The debate comes as families across Texas challenge Texas Senate Bill 10, which requires public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit heard arguments in January on the Texas case and a similar lawsuit from Louisiana.
The ACLU of Texas has urged districts to reject daily prayer periods, and faith leaders in San Antonio sent letters opposing what they described as state-organized prayer in public schools.
