The details
With the passage of Senate Bill 763 in the 88th legislative session, chaplains may be employed by or volunteer for a district to provide support, services and programs for students. The bill requires each board in the state to vote on the measure by March 1.
The approved resolution does not prohibit chaplains or other faith-based individuals from employment or volunteer opportunities in the district. CISD is not going to expand its existing policy and practices for employment or volunteering in the district, according to board documents.
The action taken
CISD Superintendent John Chapman III said he recommended trustees approve the use of chaplains on campus.
“You're not changing your policy; you're saying that you have a good policy in place that you do allow, through volunteers, for chaplains to come in and to assist in the district,” Chapman said. “If a chaplain would like to be employed, [then] they go through the regular process of being employed.”
CISD trustees voted unanimously to approve the use of chaplains on campuses in the district. Trustees Courtney Biasatti and Jason York were not in attendance at the meeting.
Another viewpoint
In December, the neighboring New Braunfels ISD board of trustees voted against using chaplains on their campuses. According to NBISD officials, “chaplain” was not defined in the bill, and the State Board for Educator Certification would not require certification for chaplains who were to become employed or volunteer. Due to this, NBISD Superintendent Lauralyn Arterbury said the district plans to continue with the existing process and follow the NBISD Comprehensive School Counseling and Guidance Plan.
