SB 10 requires posting the guidelines in all classrooms
A new state law commanding the posting of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms has opponents trumpeting challenges both in court and on campus.
Arguing Senate Bill 10’s requirement is a violation of the constitutional separation of church and state, the American Civil Liberties Union and other advocacy groups declared at the end of May they are poised to file lawsuits against both SB 10 and Senate Bill 11, the latter allowing for a daily period of prayer and Bible reading in public schools.
For SB 11, students must have parental permission to participate with the time and location being determined by each school district.
Federal judges in Louisiana and Arkansas have already blocked similar bills to SB 10, with appellate judges in Louisiana announcing June 20 the Ten Commandments display in Louisiana schools is unconstitutional.
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Posting religious texts without context doesn’t teach history.”
— state Rep. Vince Perez “
These (Ten Commandments) are basic views that we can all agree on, religious or not.”
— Ann Iberosi, local parent A North Texas group of faith leaders and parents last week filed a legal challenge in a Dallas federal court, saying the bill violates the First Amendment and parental rights.
SB 10, signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott, requires Texas public schools to display a poster-size copy — at least 16 inches by 20 inches — of the Ten Commandments in every classroom by Sept. 1.
According to the bill authored by Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, the commandments must be able to be seen and read from any angle of a classroom.
“By placing the Ten Commandments in our public school classrooms, we ensure our students receive the same foundational moral compass as our state and country’s forefathers,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said in March after the initial passage of the bill.
The Ten Commandments are an ancient Judeo-Christian doctrine the faithful believe came straight from God, describing religious observances and outlining prohibitions against lying, theft, murder and more.
Hutto and Thrall independent school districts officials said they will comply with all state laws.
“We’re currently reviewing the legislation,” said Hutto ISD Communications Director James Gazzale.
Some claim the Ten Commandments could be viewed as a historical document rather than a religious text, but state Rep. Vince Perez, D-El Paso, argued against that view in May.
“Posting religious texts without context doesn’t teach history. It risks promoting one religion over others, something our Constitution forbids,” Perez said.
Ann Iberosi, a local mother of four, welcomes the addition of the Ten Commandments in schools, agreeing with the idea that having the display in the classroom is good for students.
She said it may help learners consider their behaviors and actions during the day.
“What in the Ten Commandments is against any other religious tenet? Who disagrees with the idea of not stealing or lying? These are basic views that we can all agree on, religious or not,” Iberosi said.
Yet, during the June 12 Coupland Independent School board meeting, a grandmother of two students read a letter she had written in opposition to the proposed bill.
The Coupland grandmother questioned who gets to respond to students’ inquiries.
“If a child reads the Ten Commandments in the classroom and asks, ‘What’s a graven image?’ or ‘What does ‘thou shalt have no other gods before me mean?’, who gets to answer that question?” she said.
Coupland trustees had no answers, but said her questions deserved consideration.
The Taylor Independent School District is reviewing the new law, as well as other legislation passed during the nowconcluded 89th Legislature.
“Taylor ISD, along with public school districts across the state, is currently awaiting official guidance from the state on all the bills passed and signed into law during the most recent legislative session,” said Superintendent Jennifer Garcia-Edwardsen.
