Conroe ISD Board Rejects Daily Prayer Mandate

**For Immediate Release**

**Conroe ISD Board Unanimously Declines Proposal for Mandated Daily Prayer in Schools**

**CONROE, TX – July 17, 2024** – The Conroe Independent School District’s Board of Trustees, representing one of the largest public school districts in Texas, voted unanimously 7-0 on Tuesday, July 16, to decline a proposal that would have mandated a daily moment of prayer across all district campuses. The decision came after a month of careful deliberation, grappling with complex legal interpretations and the practical realities of serving a diverse student body.

The initial proposal was introduced by Trustee Ray Sanders at the board’s June 18 meeting. Sanders, advocating for the idea, cited the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling in *Kennedy v. Bremerton School District*. He expressed a desire to support religious freedom and offer spiritual solace to Conroe ISD’s more than 72,000 students and staff. The *Kennedy* ruling affirmed the right of a public school coach to engage in personal, public prayer, but did not address or endorse school-mandated prayer.

However, as the board delved deeper into the implications during their July 16 session, district legal counsel advised caution. Legal experts highlighted the crucial distinction between individual, voluntary prayer—which is already protected under existing law and district policy—and a board-mandated, scheduled moment of prayer. Such a mandate, they warned, could run afoul of the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause, which prohibits government entities, including public schools, from establishing or endorsing religion, thereby avoiding the appearance of compelling participation or favoring one faith over others.

While Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has issued non-binding opinions suggesting schools *can* allow moments of prayer, these opinions do not supersede federal legal precedents or insulate districts from potential lawsuits if their actions are perceived as governmental endorsement of religion.

Trustees largely agreed that while individual, student-initiated prayer is a protected right within Conroe ISD, a district-mandated daily prayer time presented a different set of challenges. Trustee Skeeter Hubert, who made the motion to decline the proposal, underscored the district’s vast diversity. “With the incredible diversity of our student body, trying to craft a scheduled moment that would respectfully accommodate all faiths, or indeed no faith, without being disruptive or exclusionary, would be an immense and potentially divisive undertaking,” Hubert stated.

Trustee Dale Inman echoed these concerns, raising practical questions about implementation. “How would this be managed in classrooms? Who would lead the prayer? What specific words would be chosen, and how would we ensure it respects every student’s background without creating discomfort or controversy?” Inman questioned, highlighting the logistical complexities.

Board President Marlon Ransom also reaffirmed the board’s primary focus. “Our core mission as a board is to provide a top-tier academic education for every student in Conroe ISD,” Ransom emphasized. “Mandating prayer, while well-intentioned, could divert resources, attention, and potentially open the district up to significant legal challenges, pulling us away from that central educational focus.”

Interestingly, even Trustee Ray Sanders, who initially championed the idea, ultimately voted with his fellow trustees to decline the proposal. His vote reflected a consensus among the board to prioritize legal prudence, operational feasibility, and district unity.

With this unanimous vote, Conroe ISD has affirmed its commitment to protecting individual religious freedoms while opting against a district-wide, scheduled daily prayer time. Students and staff remain free to engage in personal prayer that does not disrupt educational activities or coerce others, upholding the balance between religious liberty and the constitutional principle of separation of church and state within public schools.

### About Conroe Independent School District:
Conroe Independent School District is a large, fast-growing public school district covering 348 square miles in Montgomery County, Texas. It serves over 72,000 students across 67 campuses, offering a wide range of academic and extracurricular programs. The district is committed to providing an exceptional education and fostering a supportive learning environment for all its students.

**Contact:**
[Insert Fictional Media Relations Contact Name]
[Insert Fictional Media Relations Title]
[Insert Fictional Email Address]
[Insert Fictional Phone Number]