Keller school board adopts resolution allowing time for prayer, Bible reading
Keller school board members sparred Wednesday night before approving a resolution calling on the district to provide an opportunity during the school day for students and staff to pray and read the Bible or other religious texts.
The vote was 4-3 in favor of the resolution.
Trustees Chelsea Kelly and Jennifer Erickson questioned why the board needed to make a decision so quickly since Texas school districts have until March 1, 2026 to either approve or choose not to adopt a resolution.
Kelly said trustees needed more time to study policies and to discuss how allowing time for prayer and Bible reading and other religious texts will impact students and employees who are Jewish, Hindu, Muslim or Buddhist.
“There’s been a lot of questions from our community,” she said.
“I’m in a Christian, conservative household. We pray all of the time. My kids are probably praying before every single test,” Kelly said. “So, I mean, there’s nothing stopping our children from exercising their right to pray.”
She urged the board to hold off on making a “hasty decision.”
Public comments on prayer and the reading of religious texts were mixed.
Doug Hines said he favors giving students an opportunity to pray during the school day: “This allows time for students and teachers to nurture spiritual growth.”
April Shiflet said the district needs to be concerned about other school districts that were sued for ignoring the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause, which prohibits any government from creating a law “respecting an establishment of religion.”
“Don’t let drama rule the day. Put kids above your agenda,” she said.
A motion to table the resolution failed on a 4-3 vote.
The resolution comes from state Senate Bill 11, which was passed during the 89th Legislature and “requires public schools to offer a daily period for voluntary prayer and Bible reading.”
Students would have to get consent from a parent or guardian in order to participate in prayer or reading of a religious text, and the legislation states that prayers cannot be said over a loudspeaker or in the presence of students who don’t have a signed consent form.
Trustees John Birt and Chris Coker said prayers would benefit students and give them a period of solace during the school day.
Before trustees voted in favor of the resolution, Chelsea Kelly told the audience, “I want you to know that this is not something that we have to put across the dais right now…”
Kelly said she is concerned about the burden on teachers and administrators.
“This is asinine, absolutely asinine,” she said.
This story was originally published September 24, 2025 at 11:15 PM.