Katy ISD board splits on hiring chaplains
The Katy ISD board of trustees is split over a new bill that would enable the district to hire chaplains as counselors or to allow them to volunteer in a religious capacity.
The board at Monday’s special session meeting debated action on Senate Bill 763, which allows school districts to hire chaplains to provide student support services or to volunteer in schools for similar purposes.
The bill does not mandate that chaplains have any certification, training or licensing, and it does not establish limitations on what chaplains may teach the children
Monday’s meeting was discussion-only, meaning no decision was made. The board must make a decision by March 1 per state law.
Four of the seven board members, President Victor Perez, Dawn Champagne, Mary Ellen Cuzela and Rebecca Fox objected to the motion, arguing that it defies the separation of church and state and opens the door to proselytizing religious zealots preaching ideology to students that may be different from the child’s observed religion.
The two supporting board members, Amy Thieme and Morgan Calhoun, countered that it would give students access to additional support.
Lance Redmon did not issue an open opinion on the matter.
Perez said that he personally believes in raising children in a “godly and virtuous” way, but he believes that parents should make decisions on how their children are exposed to religion.
“We will be crossing the boundary into the realm of parents and churches,” Perez said. “Spiritual formation belongs in the hands of parents and their churches, not public schools.”
Calhoun called current students “a hopeless generation,” arguing that chaplains could offer “spiritual support” for children who may be suffering.
Champagne said chaplains are already welcome to volunteer at the schools through various district engagement programs. They cannot operate as a chaplain in those roles, she said, but rejecting the bill will not bar anyone from being a volunteer.
“They’re still going to be able to volunteer,” she said. “They’re just a person volunteering, who happens to be a chaplain.”
Because the chaplains would be volunteers, Thieme said, they provide a no-cost service to the district.
“It’s not about promoting a particular religion,” Thieme said. “It disappoints me to turn away free services that could prevent others from harming our schools, our students, our teachers, our principals, our staff in our schools.”
Religion, prayer and religious expression are still welcome in schools, Fox noted, cautioning that the law would allow chaplains to teach anything they want under the heading of religion.
“There are harmful religions, and this (law) has no restrictions,” Fox said “The law would not prevent us from allowing any religion to come in, and that’s the piece that gives me the most concern.”
The board will meet again Feb. 26 to vote on action items. The district has not yet released the meeting agenda, so it is unclear at this time if SB 763 will be up for a vote.