Conroe ISD OKs Daily Silent Prayer, Sparks Debate

**Conroe ISD Approves Daily Silent Prayer/Meditation Moment, Drawing Constitutional Challenges**

**CONROE, TX –** The Conroe Independent School District (CISD) Board of Trustees voted Tuesday, June 18, 2024, to implement a new daily moment for silent prayer or meditation for students, beginning with the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. The decision, approved by a 6-1 vote after a lengthy discussion, directly responds to a mandate from Texas Senate Bill 1397, a state law passed in 2023.

SB 1397 requires all public schools in Texas to set aside at least one minute each day for students to engage in quiet reflection, meditation, or prayer. Conroe ISD is among the first districts in Montgomery County to formalize its policy for the new academic year.

“This board is committed to upholding the laws of the State of Texas while ensuring our students have a respectful and inclusive learning environment,” stated CISD Board President Skeeter Hubert following the vote. “This policy provides an opportunity for personal reflection, aligning with the intent of SB 1397, and respects the diverse beliefs of our student body.”

However, the policy has immediately ignited a constitutional debate, with prominent civil liberties and secular organizations warning of potential legal challenges. Opponents argue that even a silent, mandatory moment of prayer or meditation in a public school setting violates the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause, which prohibits government endorsement of religion.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas have been vocal critics of SB 1397 since its inception. Both organizations point to long-standing U.S. Supreme Court precedents, including *Engel v. Vitale* (1962), which banned state-sponsored prayer in public schools, and *McCollum v. Board of Education* (1948), which struck down religious instruction in public schools.

“Texas Senate Bill 1397, and Conroe ISD’s decision to implement it, is a clear step backward for religious freedom in public education,” said Theresa Garcia, an attorney with the ACLU of Texas. “Even if silent, the very act of a school dictating a time for prayer or meditation can create a coercive environment for students of minority faiths or no faith, potentially alienating them or pressuring them to conform. This is a subtle but significant form of state-sponsored religious activity.”

The bill, authored by State Senator Mayes Middleton (R-Wallisville) and signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott in June 2023, was championed by proponents as a measure to protect students’ religious freedoms. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has consistently maintained the law’s constitutionality, asserting it simply allows students a moment for personal reflection without endorsing any specific religion.

“This law safeguards students’ fundamental right to exercise their faith, or simply to engage in a moment of quiet thought, without interference,” Paxton stated in a previous press release regarding the bill. “It is about individual liberty, not about promoting any particular religion.”

Locally, the issue has divided parents and community members.

“I think it’s wonderful that our schools are giving kids a chance to pause and reflect,” said Brenda Miller, a Conroe ISD parent of two elementary school students. “In today’s busy world, a minute of quiet can do wonders, and if a child wants to pray, they should have that right.”

Conversely, Conroe resident and parent, Mark Johnson, expressed concerns. “My children are learning about different cultures and beliefs in school, and this feels like it undermines that. It puts kids who don’t want to pray or meditate in an uncomfortable position. Public schools should be neutral on religion.”

Legal experts anticipate that laws like SB 1397 will face court challenges, given the consistent stance of organizations like the FFRF and ACLU against similar legislation nationwide. As the 2024-2025 school year approaches, districts across Texas are evaluating and adopting policies to comply with SB 1397, setting the stage for potential statewide litigation that could revisit the boundaries of religion in public education.