A public school district near San Antonio is considering allowing chaplains to serve as counselors for students and teachers.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 763 in May. The legislation allows chaplains to serve as counselors in public schools and took effect along with hundreds of other state laws on September 1.
North East Independent School District trustees discussed implementing this idea during a Monday night board meeting. Trustee Steve Hilliard said Monday’s meeting was “just a discussion … so we can get the community input and be thoughtful about it because it is another resource for those who may want it.”
He said that based on his experience in the military, people often benefited from speaking with chaplains.
“It was always voluntary,” he said. “Obviously, you get into a different dynamic here at the schools, but still it’s another resource when we talk about kids’ overall wellbeing, mental health, all those things.”
School Board Member Marsha Landry added, “I think this is a great opportunity to bring some spiritual guidance into the schools and ask for chaplains as volunteers to come in and not take over counseling positions, but be there as a resource for children who are interested and might want that type of nourishment.”
As previously covered by The Dallas Express, SB 763 initially faced resistance because some thought it would allow schools to hire “unqualified” chaplains. Others said Republicans were trying to force their religion upon students. Similar concerns were voiced by other North East ISD trustees during Monday’s meeting.
Board Secretary Sandy Hughey took issue with SB 763’s lack of a requirement for chaplains to be specially trained to work in schools.
“If a parent feels that their child needs guidance or counseling from a chaplain, they are more than welcome to do that,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be in the school setting.”
Board President Shannon Grona asked, “What if that person talks to the student and the parent didn’t want them to talk to the [student]?”
Residents on both sides of the issue spoke to the board during public comment. Pastor Juan Carlos Alonso said bringing chaplains into schools could help the districts save taxpayer money and positively influence the students.
“The bottom line is that any of us that have attended school knows that we don’t learn about how to [be] a good person in math class, science class or art,” he said. “But incorporating chaplains in our schools will overall help to create responsible citizens.”
However, retired teacher Deborah Parrish said she was concerned with public schools recruiting religious figures.
“In my opinion, a true member of a particular religion is going to proselytize, whether on purpose or without realizing they are doing so,” she said.
SB 763 allows trustees six months to vote on a policy that permits chaplains to work or volunteer in their schools.
