CONROE, Texas – Conroe Independent School District is moving ahead with implementing a new state law requiring Ten Commandments displays in K-12 public classrooms, despite opposition from some parents and the absence of penalties for non-compliance.
The law, known as SB10, mandates that all K-12 public classrooms display a 16-by-20 copy of the King James Bible version of the Ten Commandments.
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“My worry comes from after being a teacher, knowing the diverse students that we have, my heart goes out to them and their parents because their faiths are not being represented here,” said Destinee Milton, a Conroe ISD parent of two boys ages 10 and 7.
Some parents argue that schools should not have jurisdiction over the religious information their children receive.
“My issue doesn’t come down to whether the Ten Commandments are right or wrong. That’s a whole other argument for people to have. My issue is parental rights,” said Eleesha Bedaw, a Conroe ISD parent.
Angela Achen, another district parent, raised constitutional concerns.
“I see it as a violation of the First Amendment, particularly the Establishment Clause, because it is functioning as an establishment and promotion of one particular religious view over all others,” she said.
The law has supporters outside the Conroe ISD community. Brenda Smith and Rebecca Smith Nash have printed thousands of Ten Commandments posters to donate to schools.
“I think SB10, the commandments being in the room will provide them with guidelines,” Smith said. Nash added, “I do believe if we’re going to be true to who we are as a country, the Ten Commandments should come first.”
Some opponents suggest alternative approaches to upholding American principles.
“It’d be great to have the Bill of Rights in every classroom,” Achen said.
A federal court ruling from the San Antonio area has already found SB10 unconstitutional. Civil rights groups, including the ACLU, have cited this ruling in letters warning Texas school districts against implementing the law.
Parents opposing the bill plan to voice their concerns at the next regular school board meeting on Sept. 16.