Pearland school board member storms out during prayer decision

(10/23/07 - KTRK/PEARLAND, TX) (KTRK) -- A decision was made over where and when members of an area school board can pray. It got so heated, one board member stormed out.

It's going on in Pearland. Board members there usually have a prayer before the meetings, but one board member wanted it to stop.

The board voted 6-0 and many people are calling it a compromise, but one member didn't want to stick around after that vote.

"Nobody in the South forces anything on anybody, they do it quite properly and gently," board member Suzy Roberts said.

Saying she could no longer stay, Roberts abruptly left the board meeting, following the unanimous vote to change the way prayers are held at school board meetings.

"It is each board member's exclusive choice as to the content and manner in which the member chooses to make his or her introductory remarks," said school district attorney David Feldman.

The vote allows members to give a personal prayer reflective of their beliefs. Those who do not want to give a prayer can opt out and say a poem or some other remarks.

After the vote, a group of ministers gathered to pray calling the decision a good compromise.

"It gives those the opportunity to pray, it gives those the opportunity that don't want to pray, that's okay also," Keith Anderson of the New Harvest Christian Fellowship said.

For weeks the debate played out publicly. Some in the community put pressure on the board to keep prayer in.

"Why should our rights be taken away so we don't offend somebody else," asked prayer supporter Joe Gaston.

Those against the prayer called the decision a failure.

"I think there could still be legal action on this if one of the groups chooses to pursue it," said Sam Davis who supported removing the prayer.

The interim board president said she never has seen a board member walk out of a meeting. The new policy goes into effect at the next meeting which will be held in November.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

Get more News »

• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•