Texas’ debate over school chaplains escalates school board culture wars
The Texas Legislature passed a bill seven months ago that allows public schools to hire chaplains, a move that has sparked controversy and debates over the role of religion in public education. Critics view this as a concerted effort by conservative Christian groups to infiltrate public schools, while supporters argue it’s a mechanism to support student mental health. The worries intensified as the bill was passed without clearly defining the role of a chaplain or specific training requirements, leaving it up to the over 1,200 school districts in the state to decide. The decision must be made by March 2024. This has led to a bitter battle at the school board level and public pushback, with religious voices clashing over the interpretation and implementation of the policy.
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