Katy ISD is mulling over a policy that could see unlicensed chaplains serve as school counselors, in line with Texas' SB 763. This controversial piece of legislation necessitates districts taking a stance on whether to bring chaplains into the school environment by March 1, 2024, as reported by FOX 26 Houston.
The district's Board of Trustees has been faced with vocal objections from concerned parents and professionals at a recent Monday meeting. "If I want my children to receive religious indoctrination at school, I will send them to a private school that aligns with my religion. That is my parental right," Lisa Lister-Browne, a parent in the district, conveyed to FOX 26 Houston. A similar sentiment was echoed by forensic psychologist Dr. Nancy Zarse, who expressed her opposition "Given the alarming rise in school violence, it is all the more essential we dedicate our resources to trained professionals."
Katy ISD trustees haven't yet hammered out the specifics of how chaplain services would be integrated into school counseling frameworks. However, trustee Amy Thieme envisions potential benefits, recalling an incident from her own teaching experience. "My first year of teaching, I had a junior high student in a dire situation...I would’ve so much appreciated having someone, like a chaplain, who I could’ve gone to and referred her to instead of myself," Thieme told FOX 26 Houston.
Meanwhile, the legal intricacies of implementing this measure have been highlighted by Katy ISD's General Counsel, Justin Graham. At a work-study meeting reported by Click2Houston, Graham stated, “We do have to understand what we’re doing is however you guys want to bring chaplains in, whether an employment capacity or volunteer capacity, you do understand that we’re going to have people of different faith serving in those roles.”
"This program is particularly bad because it takes the title of chaplain but removes all the qualifications, removes the training, removes what it is that makes chaplains who they are, and says that it's unnecessary. All we need is someone who can pass a background check," Rev. Jennifer Hawks, Associate General Counsel at the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, explained to FOX 26 Houston.
