The Dalhart Independent School District school board recently voted against adopting Senate Bill 11, a piece of Texas legislation that would allow school districts to establish a daily period for voluntary, student-led prayer and the reading of religious texts. The decision followed a Monday night board meeting focused on understanding the scope, requirements, and potential consequences of the bill, which emerged from the 2024–25 legislative session.
Senate Bill 11 does not mandate prayer periods statewide. Instead, it gives local school boards the option to approve or reject the establishment of a daily, voluntary prayer period on their campuses. While supporters of the bill have framed it as a way to protect religious expression, the Dalhart ISD board emphasized that its vote was not about opposing prayer, but about uncertainty surrounding how the law would be implemented.
Superintendent Jeff Byrd explained that the district already permits prayer among students and staff, as well as the presence of religious texts in schools. From the district’s perspective, the bill presents an all-or-nothing choice rather than a flexible framework. “We already allow prayer in our school with our students and with our staff and there’s not an option to stay where you’re at today,” Byrd said. “You either have to vote to approve Senate Bill 11 or vote not to accept it. And it’s easier to stay where we’re at by not accepting it.”
During the meeting, board members raised practical and legal questions about how a prayer period would function in real terms. Among the concerns discussed were what the period would look like during the school day, whether participation would truly remain voluntary, and how the district would accommodate students and families from a wide range of religious backgrounds. Board members also questioned whether the prayer period would be considered an elective or a structured part of the daily schedule, and how staff would be expected to supervise it without crossing legal boundaries.
Byrd noted that the lack of clear guidance played a significant role in the board’s decision. “There’s too many answers we don’t have,” he said. “There’s not a yes or no, right or wrong, there’s not enough information out so in order for the district to maintain what we’re comfortable with.” He also highlighted the diversity within the community, describing it as one with strong religious values but many denominations. “There’s churches of all denominations and we are a mixing, blending bowl if you will and we’re comfortable with where we’re at right now,” Byrd said.
District leaders were careful to stress that the vote does not change existing practices. Dalhart ISD stated it will not prevent students or staff from praying individually or in groups, nor will it restrict anyone from bringing religious texts onto campus. The board’s decision reflects a desire to avoid unintended consequences until more detailed guidance is available.
Looking ahead, the district left the door open to reconsideration. If Senate Bill 11 is clarified through additional rules, guidance, or revisions, the board indicated it would be willing to review the legislation again and potentially hold another vote. For now, Dalhart ISD plans to maintain its current approach while monitoring how the law develops across the state.
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