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Trustees discuss teacher certification deadline, and SB 11 prayer period

photo of ECISD board room
Trustees discuss teacher certification deadline, and SB 11 prayer period

February workshop agenda also included discussion of a new advocacy program for community members

The Ector County ISD Board of Trustees held its February Workshop on the 10th. A recap of the agenda is below. 

  

  1. Roll Call. 

     2. Verification of compliance with open meetings requirements.  

  1. In opening comments, Superintendent Dr. Keeley Boyer reminded everyone there is school on Monday – it is no longer a holiday; it is a make up for the snow days we took two weeks ago.   
  1. In public comment, student Francisco Morales, spoke on religious freedom and his opposition to Senate Bill 11 (which the school board is discussing in Item 6-B below). He expressed concern that establishing a daily prayer period could cause some students to feel pressured to conform with beliefs they don’t share, and that when, where, and how to pray should be determined by individuals and families, not local public schools.   
  1. Public Hearing  
  1. Trustees held a public hearing on the annual district performance report. This also served as the public hearing for the District Continuous Improvement Team (DCIT). School districts are required to hold a public hearing to discuss this annual report which includes academic performance data, financial report, accreditation status, campus performance objectives, information on violent or criminal incidents, and performance in post-secondary institutions. The information in this report is for the 2024-2025 school year. You will find the annual district performance report, which includes the Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR) on our website within two weeks of this report, as required.  

 

  1. Report/Discussion Items   
  1. Trustees discussed a resolution to delay teacher certification requirements until the beginning of the 2029-30 school year. The state has re-emphasized its expectation for all teachers to be certified; however, the Texas Education Code allows school districts to delay teacher certification requirements to be fully in place until the 2029-30 school year. ECISD has 263 uncertified Core content instructors and will rely heavily on its own internal certification program, Odessa Pathway to Teaching, and the University of Texas Permian Basin’s certification program, while still informing teacher candidates of other available programs, too. There are five requirements to become a certified teacher in Texas: obtain a bachelor’s degree; complete an educator preparation program; pass certification exams; submit a state application; and complete fingerprinting. ECISD is making a concerted effort to help new teachers get certified through meeting with those needing certification and designing an individual certification plan, building a study plan, hosting weekly sessions with candidates, and monthly certification practice tests.  

 

  1. Trustees discussed a statutory resolution regarding the establishment of a daily prayer period in schools. Senate Bill 11, from the last legislative session, allows districts to authorize a daily period for prayer and reading of religious texts. The law also requires school boards to vote on such a resolution before March 1, 2026. If a district chooses to adopt this daily period it must: apply to every school every day; may not substitute for instructional time; participation is allowed only for staff and students who sign a consent form; prayer or reading of religious texts are not permitted in the physical presence of or within the hearing distance of any person who has not submitted a consent form; using the PA system is prohibited; and it is restricted to classrooms or areas where every single person present has a signed consent form. In regard to religious freedom practices, ECISD has a moment of silence in every school every day, adopted policy GKG (Local) allowing chaplains as volunteers; and allows students to participate in voluntary events and organizations like “See You at the Pole,” Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Fields of Faith, and First Priority. The school board will hold its required vote on February 17.  

 

  1. Trustees discussed the creation of a community advocation program. The purpose of this program would be to increase understanding of school governance, finance, operations, and academics; strengthen trust, transparency, and shared ownership of district outcomes; and build informed community advocates. Membership would be representative of all seven school board districts, and could be parents, business leaders, civic leaders, or others interested in public education and considering future service with ECISD.  

 

  1. There was no closed session.  
  1. There were no closing remarks. 
  1. The meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.