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Bastrop ISD will not create a period of prayer in the school day, following a legislatively required vote on the matter taken in February.
What you need to know
Trustees voted not to create a daily period of prayer in its schools, at the recommendation of staff, at a Feb. 17 board meeting.
The vote is required by statute in Senate Bill 11, passed in the 89th Texas Legislature, with a deadline of March 1.
The details
Jennifer Eberly, BISD's chief academic officer, said the district does not have a policy that would preclude students of any faith from gathering, praying or otherwise practicing their religious beliefs during the school day as long as they do not interfere with instructional time.
BISD, she said, often hosts religious student gatherings and organizations, such as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Meet You at the Pole, on its campuses.
The context
SB 11 required school districts to take a record vote on whether to create a period of prayer and reading of the Bible or any other religious text. The bill states that such a policy would be inclusive of all faiths and would require that all students participating in a period of prayer during the school day are only able to do so with parental consent.
