SAN MARCOS, Texas — One Central Texas school district is rejecting a plan to create a school chaplain program.
On Monday night, the San Marcos CISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to not allow unlicensed counselors to serve in that role in the district.
This decision is the byproduct of Senate Bill 763, which became law in September. That legislation gives districts the option to create a school chaplain program to address students' mental health.
San Marcos CISD leaders said Monday that they've worked hard to come up with the framework for the counselors the district has now, and they don't want to compromise that.
"I also am concerned about both qualifications and the separation of church and state," Trustee Jessica Cain said Monday.
"Maybe it's something that would be helpful for other communities, but right now, isn't the right step for our community," Board President Anne Halsey said.
Chaplains across the state have come out against SB 763, saying they are not qualified to take the place of mental health professionals.