Miami-Dade School Board adopts prayer proclamation
The Miami-Dade School Board unanimously approved on Wednesday a measure to commemorate the National Day of Prayer in the district’s public schools — an item that prompted board members to ensure Florida’s motto, “In God We Trust,” be displayed in the School Board room.
On Wednesday, it was displayed above the dais.
Introduced by Vice Chair Danny Espino, the measure calls for the district to recognize Thursday, May 4, 2023, as the National Day of Prayer, in accordance with Congress designating the first Thursday in May as a National Day of
Prayer. And according to Espino, it “creates a space for everyone of all faiths” to participate.
“In the name of inclusion, public education has made a space for a variety of points of views. Space for voluntary prayer, unfortunately,” has been left out, Espino said. The item did not mandate anyone to pray, he said.
The board passed the measure 8-0, with Roberto Alonso absent.
The board approved the recognition for the first time last year when now-Doral Mayor Christi Fraga proposed the item. Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Espino in November to replace Fraga when she won her mayoral bid.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, public elementary and secondary schools should have no policy that prevents, or otherwise denies participation in, constitutionally protected prayer in public schools.
The DOE notes in its “Overview of Governing Constitutional Principles” related to school prayer, however, that U.S. Supreme Court decisions have said “teachers and other public school officials, acting in their official capacities, may not lead their classes in prayer, devotional readings from the Bible, or other religious activities, nor may school officials use their authority to attempt to persuade or compel students to participate in prayer or other religious activities.”
The measure was met with little discussion from the community and board members compared to last year when dozens of parents and organizations flocked to the meeting to encourage the board to adopt the item.
At the time, most were in favor of the measure. On Wednesday, similar sentiments were expressed.