GISD board denies period of prayer, reading of religious text

The Graham ISD Board of Trustees voted not to adopt a resolution to add a policy allowing a period of prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious text in public schools.

The GISD administration recommended the board not adopt a resolution during their meeting Wednesday, Feb. 25. The board voted to not adopt the policy, with board member Brandon Joy voting against and Jason Smith absent at the meeting.

Senate Bill 11 was passed June 20, 2025 and states that no later than six months after the act was in effect on Sept. 1, 2025, each school district board of trustees must make a record vote on whether to adopt a policy related to a period of prayer and reading of a religious text.

Regardless of the denial of the policy, students or employees of the district are not prohibited from participating in prayer or reading of the Bible or other religious text during a period of the school day that is not designated under the bill.

Under GISD’s current board policy updated Oct. 9, 2025, students have the right to individually, voluntarily and silently pray or meditate in school in a way that does not disrupt instructional or other activities.

Students are not required or coerced to engage in or refrain from prayer or meditation during any school activity. Participation requires no parental or guardian consent.

Under SB 11, state school district board of trustees may adopt a policy requiring every campus of the district to provide students and employees with an opportunity to participate in a period of prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious text each school day.

The policy would prohibit a student or employee of the district from participation in the period of prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious text unless the employee or parent or guardian of the student submits a signed consent form to the district or school.

“Public verbal prayer or religious reading during the designated period may only occur in approved areas per Texas Education Code... and requires a school district to actively monitor and assure public verbal prayer during the designated period is not provided in the presence or within hearing of a person who has not submitted a signed consent,” Chief Student Services Officer Joe Gordy said to the board Wednesday.

That consent form must include an acknowledgement that the student or employee has a choice to participate, state that there is no objection to participation and what is heard and a waiver of the person’s right to bring a claim under state or federal law from the adoption of the policy.

“(This includes) a claim under the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United State Constitution of related state or federal law, releasing the district or school and district or school employees from liability for those claims brought in state or federal court,” the bill states.

The bill states that reading of the Bible or other religious text over a public address system would be additionally prohibited. The period would not be able to substitute instructional time.

An employee, parent or guardian of a student may also revoke the person’s consent by informing a school administrator, determined by the district. Once revoked, that individual would not be able to participate until another consent form was submitted.