Eanes, Lake Travis ISDs vote against implementing period of prayer resolution

The Eanes ISD and Lake Travis ISD board of trustees voted against implementing a Senate Bill 11 resolution that authorizes districts to establish a voluntary period of prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious texts during the school day.

EISD and LTISD voted against the resolution during their Feb. 3 and Feb. 18 meetings, respectively.

Some context

State lawmakers passed SB 11 during the 2025 legislative session. LTISD General Counsel Chad Crowson said that the law:

• Designates a daily period of prayer and reading of religious texts
• Requires written consent to participate, including a parent waiver
• Has certain safeguards in place, such as not being broadcasted on the PA system or taking place during instructional time, and that nonparticipants cannot be within hearing range

While implementing the resolution is not required, districts are required to vote on whether to adopt or decline the resolution by March 1.

What they're saying

Crowson said that prior to the passage of SB 11 and regardless of how the district chose to vote on the resolution, federal and state law has already allowed students and staff to engage in voluntary prayer and religious expression at school as long as it is not disruptive of the educational environment or coerced by the school or district.

The SB 11 requirements are what drive the administrative burden, Crowson said, such as consent tracking, handling potential future revocations, scheduling a noninstructional time for the designated period, identifying appropriate locations and maintaining separation for nonparticipants.

"This, along with many other mandates that the state has passed down, is unfunded, and I think we really as a district need to pay attention to the fact that this is a common occurrence happening in our Legislature," LTISD trustee Kris Woodcock said. "We as a district take on the financial burden that the state does not."

EISD voted against implementing the resolution as part of its consent agenda and per administration's recommendation. District documents stated that federal law and EISD board policy already allows students to engage in prayer, religious text and religious expression on school property during the school day, which would not change if the SB 11 resolution is not implemented.