McAllen ISD trustees decline Senate Bill 11 prayer period after public testimony and brief board discussion
McAllen News, McAllen TX News, Senate Bill 11, school prayer, board vote
Arnoldo Mata
McAllen, TX - Multiple speakers urged the McAllen ISD Board of Trustees to decline implementing Senate Bill 11, which was described during the meeting as requiring districts to take a record vote on whether to establish a daily period for prayer and reading a religious text.
During public comment, speakers were given “two uninterrupted minutes,” according to the meeting transcript.
Annie Holland Miller, who identified herself as a McAllen ISD parent and president of Temple Emmanuel in McAllen, said she was not opposing faith and described herself as a person of faith. Miller said public schools are “shared civic spaces” and said a designated period for prayer and religious reading, even if voluntary, could create an environment where some students feel “different, uncomfortable or singled out.” She urged trustees to vote against implementing any designated period for prayer or religious reading during the school day.
Taya Gayoso, who identified herself as a senior at McAllen High School, urged trustees to vote against implementing SB 11. Gayoso said she is Jewish and told trustees the religious freedom the bill addresses already exists. She said requiring families to opt in or opt out would identify which students participate and which do not. She said that could create a “visible line” between the majority and those who are different and could lead to isolation, pressure to conform or bullying for younger students.
Rabbi Nathan Farb, who identified himself as a leader of the Jewish community in McAllen and surrounding areas and said his son would start at McAllen ISD in the fall, told trustees students and teachers already have the right to pray and read the Bible at appropriate times. Farb said the bill could take teachers out of their classroom role and could turn them into “preachers and ministers.” Farb also said any teacher of any faith could lead prayer, and said parents who opt in would sign away legal rights to object to what is taught during the period.
Elia Juarez, who identified herself as a member of the executive board for McAllen AFT and a retired McAllen ISD teacher, urged trustees to opt out. Juarez said districts would face additional paperwork and said students and adults who opt out would have to go to a gym or auditorium, which she said would take away instructional time. She suggested a moment of silence and said students already have the right to pray voluntarily.
Lenore Tyler, who said both her children graduated from Memorial High School, said her family is Christian but opposed implementing the law. Tyler cited constitutional protections for religious freedom and said schools should dedicate limited time and resources to instruction, leaving religious instruction to families and houses of worship. She urged trustees to vote no on SB 11.
Sylvia Tanguma, who identified herself as president of McAllen AFT, told trustees McAllen ISD already respects religious freedom and already begins each day with a moment of silence for reflection or prayer. Tanguma said SB 11 would require setting aside time for prayer or religious reading with parental permission from an already packed instructional day. She urged trustees to oppose the bill.
Liang Hu, who identified herself as a parent of a Memorial High School graduate, a former high school teacher and a taxpaying community member, urged trustees to oppose SB 11. Hu said allowing or promoting school-sponsored prayer could make some students feel excluded based on religion or lack of religion. Hu also said the bill would create additional administrative burden for the district.
Angel Torres, the final speaker, urged trustees to adopt an SB 11 resolution. Torres referenced an upcoming March 1 deadline and said a vote to reject SB 11 would not maintain neutrality. Torres said rejecting SB 11 would deny what he described as “expanded rights” for students to pray and read the Bible during the specific period authorized by the Texas Legislature.
Board discussion and vote on Senate Bill 11
After public comment concluded, the board reorganized the agenda to move up the SB 11 item. The motion to move up the item passed 6-0.
Superintendent Dr. Gutierrez told trustees SB 11 requires each district’s board to take a record vote either to establish daily prayer time and reading a religious text by adopting the resolution set out in the new statute, or to decline to establish the daily prayer time. Gutierrez said Dr. Canales, the district’s chief human resources officer, would have more information and said administration was recommending action on the item by record vote.
A motion was then made “to decline the daily prayer vote.” The motion passed unanimously, 6-0.
Source -- McAllen ISD.