EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into several school districts across the state, including El Paso ISD, seeking records tied to two new laws requiring Ten Commandments displays in classrooms and a school board vote on whether to set aside time for prayer and reading religious texts.

Paxton’s office said the investigation focuses on Senate Bill 10 and Senate Bill 11, both of which took effect Sept. 1, 2025. SB 10 requires public schools to display copies of the Ten Commandments in classrooms. SB 11 required school boards to vote by March 1 on whether to create a designated time for prayer and reading the Bible or other religious texts.

Paxton’s office said districts named in the investigation must provide documents showing their displays — or their lack of displays — of the Ten Commandments. Districts also must provide proof of their board vote related to the prayer law.

Jordan Salas reports on EPISD named in investigation over Ten Commandments displays (Credit: KFOX14)

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In February, El Paso ISD’s board took up a resolution on SB 11, but the item failed.

KFOX14/CBS4 contacted El Paso ISD about the state’s investigation and whether the district is in compliance.

In a statement, a district spokesperson said: “El Paso ISD remains committed to adhering to all state laws and guidelines set forth by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Our primary focus remains on providing a high-quality, supportive learning environment for all students.”

The investigation and the laws themselves have drawn mixed reactions from community members. One person said, “I think it’s a good idea.” Another disagreed, saying, “Honestly, I think it’s a bit ridiculous.”

Others said public schools should avoid favoring any religion. “I feel like there’s only really two ways to go about it. It’s either you include all the other religions, or you don’t include any religion at all,” one person said.

Another person said districts should comply with state requirements. “I think we need to follow the law,” the person said.

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Other area districts, though not named in the investigation, also responded about their status under the laws.

Canutillo ISD said, “Our District is in the process of being in compliance with the law.”

Ysleta ISD said, “Ysleta ISD intends to follow and comply with the new law under SB 10 requiring all school districts to display durable posters with the King James version of the Ten Commandments. The law does not require school districts to purchase these posters, but it does require us to display in every classroom the posters that are donated for this purpose.”

“Ysleta ISD is in compliance with the legal requirements under SB 11, which required a record vote by March 1 from all Texas school boards on whether to adopt a policy allowing for daily prayer during the school day. Daily prayer under SB 11 remains optional and is not required of school districts. The YISD Board of Trustees complied with this deadline and legal requirement during its Feb. 18 regular board meeting, when it approved a resolution declining to adopt a policy to designate a period of daily prayer on the basis that the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution already affords students and school district employees with rights to freely exercise their religious beliefs.”

Clint ISD said, “Clint Independent School District is in compliance with Texas Senate Bill 10. In response to Texas Senate Bill 11, a resolution reflecting the District’s decision not to adopt the optional prayer and religious text reading period was adopted by the Board of Trustees during this school year.”

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