Editor\u2019s note: Transcript provided by CoverGov<\/a>.<\/p>\n School district trustees from Grapevine-Colleyville and Carroll rejected establishing a student prayer period in a vote as required under a new law<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Grapevine-Colleyville<\/a> trustees voted at their Feb. 23<\/a> meeting. Carroll ISD<\/a> trustees did so at their Feb. 2<\/a> meeting. Each school board accepted their administration\u2019s recommendations.<\/p>\n Both districts already have student prayer policies<\/a>, officials with both said.<\/p>\n Passed by the Texas Legislature by an 88-48 vote May 23, 2025, Senate Bill 11 requires school district trustees to take a vote by March 1 on whether to establish the designated prayer period in schools. Participation is voluntary but does require written signed consent from parents or employees.<\/p>\n Texas law on prayer period in public schools outlines requirements should districts approve the time:<\/p>\n Participation requires signed parental consent with families waiving the right to sue over constitutional claims. \u201cWith the logistical complexities of determining the students that have approval from their parents and monitoring students to ensure the rules involving separation are not violated, the administration at this time does not recommend that the board adopt such a policy,\u201d GCISD Superintendent Rick DeMasters said. \u201cThose things already are allowed under our current board policy.\u201d<\/p>\n During the public comment period of the GCISD meeting, four residents urged trustees not to adopt Senate Bill 11. No citizen spoke in favor of the resolution.<\/p>\n GCISD schools \u201cserve families who practice a rich diversity of religions, as well as those who do not practice any faith at all,\u201d Howard Rosenthal said. \u201cSome students may feel pressured to participate in the prayer period so that they don\u2019t face exclusion, rejection or bullying from their peers.<\/p>\n \u201cSchools should be places of belonging that welcome differences. Decisions about whether, when or how to pray and read scripture should be left to parents, students themselves and faith communities.\u201d<\/p>\n Fort Worth, Hurst-Euless-Bedford, Mansfield, Lake Worth, Eagle Mountain-Saginaw, Castleberry, Arlington and Kennedale school boards<\/a> voted no, while Keller and Aledo have adopted a prayer period.<\/p>\n
\nPrayer and religious reading must occur in spaces separated from nonparticipants.
\nThe period cannot take place during instructional time or be broadcast to others.
\nThe Texas attorney general must defend districts against any related legal challenge.<\/p>\n