Edinburg CISD trustees opt out of Senate Bill 11 prayer provision after strong public opposition

Editor’s Note: The Feb. 10, 2026 meeting of the ECISD School Board covered a large number of topics with many details. We have opted to write multiple stories about the meeting in order to provide as much detail and information as possible to our readers. This is the first in this series.

Edinburg News, Edinburg TX News, Senate Bill 11, prayer in schools

Arnoldo Mata

Edinburg, TX – Edinburg CISD trustees unanimously voted to opt out of Senate Bill 11’s provision allowing a designated period for prayer and religious text readings during their Feb. 20 regular meeting, following extensive public comment both for and against the measure. 

Public comment on Senate Bill 11

Marcia Gonzalez, who identified herself as president of Edinburg AFT Local Union 6583, urged trustees to reject the measure. “This Senate Bill 11 is not mandatory,” Gonzalez said. She added that teachers’ schedules are “already jam packed” and questioned how campuses would accommodate additional designated periods and separate spaces for students who opt out.

Gonzalez said, “Parents send their children to school to learn academics, and they take them to religious institutions of their choice to learn and practice religion.” She asked the board to “vote the resolution down.” 

Fern McClarty spoke in favor of the bill, identifying herself as a Christian. She described Senate Bill 11 as voluntary and said, “The children need something.” McClure cited concerns about student behavior and asked trustees to “pass this, let’s try it. What will it hurt?” 

Community member Gloria Galindo spoke against the proposal, saying it would impose religion in public schools and divert limited time and resources. “School is for education, not for evangelization,” Galindo said, adding that religious upbringing is a parental responsibility. 

Another parent also opposed the measure. She referenced a prior campus religious class experience involving her child and said, “We forget that our children are vulnerable.” She asked trustees not to approve the item. 

Rabbi Nathan Farb, who identified himself as spiritual leader of the Jewish community of the Upper Valley, said students already have the right to pray and read religious texts in school. He raised concerns about potential exclusion of students who do not participate and said, “This badly written bill is wrong for our students.” 

Elizabeth Goldberg, a former educator, described the proposal as an unfunded mandate that would require consent forms and additional space across 44 campuses. She said students are already allowed to pray voluntarily and warned that implementation would create logistical challenges. 

Linda Gonzalez, who identified herself as a community member, questioned how the district would accommodate multiple faith traditions and students who do not wish to participate. She said religion is a private matter for families to decide. 

During board discussion, trustees acknowledged receiving outreach from parents and community members prior to the meeting regarding Senate Bill 11. One trustee thanked “all the parents that reached out to me with concerns on Senate Bill 11,” referencing calls and text messages received before the agenda item was considered. The comment indicated that discussion about the proposal had extended beyond the boardroom and that families had contacted trustees directly to share their positions ahead of the vote. 

Public comment also reflected organized communication among parents and community members. Several speakers referenced others who were present in support of their position, and one speaker identified herself as part of a group advocating around district matters. 

Board discussion and vote

During board discussion, several trustees expressed opposition to adopting the resolution. One trustee said the district must be “frugal with our tax dollars” and noted that the measure would require time and space the district does not have. 

Another trustee stated, “I’m also against this. I think we have plenty opportunities to prayer in our own time.” 

Trustees emphasized inclusivity and the district’s role in providing education rather than religious instruction. One board member said religion is “so personal and needs to stay in the homes.” 

The district’s attorney advised that Senate Bill 11 creates a process for districts that choose to implement a designated period for prayer and religious text reading, and that opting out would require a roll call vote. 

Trustees then conducted a roll call vote and unanimously opted out of the Senate Bill 11 provision. 

Senate Bill 11 background

Senate Bill 11 allows a school district’s governing body to require campuses to offer voluntary periods of prayer and the reading of the Bible or other religious texts. Under the law, the district must vote on the record to require such prayer and reading periods. Participation by students or employees would be voluntary and would require signed consent forms from parents or employees.

Consent and legal requirements

The required consent forms must include waivers of liability for the school district and its employees, as well as a waiver of the participant’s right to sue, including claims related to potential violations of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

Senate Bill 11 specifies that the prayer and reading periods may not be conducted over a public address system or within earshot of individuals who have not signed a consent and waiver. The periods also may not replace instructional time.

The law allows teachers, principals or other individuals to encourage participation, but prohibits requiring or coercing students or employees to attend.