Amid a hot debate in Texas over the role of chaplains in public schools, Houston ISD is taking a stand against a recent state law that opens doors for chaplains to serve as school counselors. The HISD appointed school board is gearing up to vote on a resolution that would prevent uncertified chaplains from filling these roles, the Houston Chronicle reports. Despite the passage of Senate Bill 763, which gives districts until March 1 to decide on employing chaplains for mental health support, HISD's board contends that, although they remain eligible for employment if they meet all required qualifications for the position, hiring uncertified chaplains doesn't align with their standards for counselors.
Over in Katy, the debate rages with individual rights at the center of the conversation. Parents are pushing back against their school district's contemplation of hiring chaplains, which was spurred by the same legislation, Senate Bill 763. Notably, all six public speakers at a recent Katy ISD work study meeting opposed the move. One of the parents, Lisa Lister-Browne, argued, "Subjecting my children to religious indoctrination while they're at public school is a breach of my parental rights to decide when, where, and how my children are exposed to religious ideology," according to an ABC13 interview. On the flip side, State Sen. Mayes Middleton, who authored the bill, has promoted it as beneficial for school communities, believing "our schools are not God-free zones."
Meanwhile, HISD's board is also due to tackle other pressing matters, including the District Improvement Plan for the academic year 2023-2024. This is crucial given that less than 30% of third graders were on or above grade level in math and reading, with stark racial disparities evident in the results. The board's ambitious plan aims to raise students' proficiency by making systemic changes such as introducing high-quality instructional materials and ensuring alignment with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, the Houston Chronicle Reports.
As districts navigate the complex legislation's implications, both HISD and Katy ISD have faced criticism for considering integrating chaplains into counseling roles without the requisite training, a point underscored by Rev. Jennifer Hawks—a reverend and constitutional law expert with the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty—who told ABC13 that while chaplains do important work, "they are not trained to be public school counselors."
