What’s happening?
During an Oct. 5 briefing meeting, the DISD board of trustees reviewed a resolution to reject the opportunity to hire chaplains as counselors or allow them to perform volunteer counselor services.
Trustees did not publicly discuss the resolution during the meeting. They are scheduled to formally adopt the resolution Oct. 19.
The backstory
Under Senate Bill 763, Texas school districts may now employ chaplains to act as volunteer counselors to provide support, services and programs for students. The bill is one of several laws regarding schools that went into effect Sept. 1.
School boards are required to vote between Sept. 1 and March 1 on whether to adopt or change school policies to allow chaplains to perform these duties, according to SB 763.
What are the options?
Texas school districts are required to choose from three options regarding the bill:
- Hire chaplains to perform the duties of a school counselor
- Accept chaplains as volunteer counselors
- Reject any use of chaplains as counselors
Barring any changes, DISD’s board of trustees will vote to adopt the resolution during its Oct. 19 board meeting. Under the bill, the board is required to take a record vote, meaning each trustee is required to vote individually on the measure.
The Oct. 19 meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at 5151 Samuell Blvd., Dallas. Residents wanting to speak at the meeting must register by calling Board Services at 972-925-3720 by 5 p.m. Oct. 18.
Related highlights
In Celina ISD, officials voted Sept. 18 to allow chaplains to apply for volunteer positions with the district in the 2023-24 school year.
The district will obtain volunteer applicants’ criminal history and determine each person’s eligibility, according to district documents. All chaplains will also undergo volunteer training with the district’s counselors and student services.
