Conroe ISD Adopts Daily Prayer & Reflection Period

**Conroe ISD Trustees Mandate Daily ‘Prayer and Reflection’ Period Ahead of New Texas Law**

**CONROE, TX – August 17, 2023** – The Conroe Independent School District (CISD) Board of Trustees has voted to implement a daily period of prayer and reflection across all district campuses, a decision made in anticipation of a new state law set to take effect next month. The board approved the measure in a 6-1 vote on Tuesday, August 15, creating a 60-second window each school day for students to engage in individual contemplation.

This move comes directly in response to Texas Senate Bill 1515, which goes into effect statewide on September 1, 2023. Authored by State Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston), SB 1515 mandates that public school students be given a “brief period of prayer and reflection” each school day.

Under Conroe ISD’s specific plan, the 60-second period will be integrated into the daily schedule. While students are not required to participate in prayer or reflection, they are required to remain in their classrooms and maintain a respectful demeanor. The district’s guidance clarifies that this is not school-sponsored prayer, but rather an opportunity for individual students to pray, meditate, or reflect quietly. Teachers or student volunteers may lead the period.

The decision, however, was not unanimous, highlighting the ongoing national debate over the separation of church and state in public education. Trustee Misty St. Clair cast the sole dissenting vote, raising concerns about the potential for discomfort among students from diverse religious or non-religious backgrounds.

“I worry about the precedent this sets and the potential for litigation,” St. Clair stated during the meeting. “Similar laws in other states are facing legal challenges, and I believe it’s not the school’s role to mandate a time for prayer or reflection, even if framed as voluntary.” She referenced legal precedents regarding religious freedom in schools.

Other trustees, however, voiced strong support for the initiative. Trustee Datren Williams emphasized the importance of spiritual well-being for students. Trustee Tiffany Nelson highlighted the value of providing students with dedicated time to reflect and pause during their busy school day. Trustee Skeeter Hubert was more direct, expressing his belief that “God has a place in schools.”

The implementation of SB 1515, and Conroe ISD’s plan, navigates a careful legal line. The U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark 1962 ruling in *Engel v. Vitale* explicitly prohibited state-sponsored prayer in public schools, citing the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which prevents the government from establishing a religion. The language of SB 1515 and Conroe ISD’s interpretation is structured to allow for individual, voluntary reflection or prayer, steering clear of any perception of school-led or coercive religious activity.

Civil liberties organizations and groups advocating for the separation of church and state are expected to closely monitor the implementation of SB 1515 across Texas districts. While the bill aims to respect individual religious freedom, critics often argue that even a voluntary, school-mandated period for prayer can create an environment where non-participating students feel singled out or pressured.

As September 1 approaches, Conroe ISD joins other Texas school districts in adapting to the new state mandate, setting the stage for how these brief periods of reflection will be integrated into the daily lives of students and faculty across the state. The district’s plan ensures that all campuses will begin observing the 60-second period when the academic year fully commences after the September 1 effective date.