Pearland Texas School Board Debates Prayer At Meetings

Yet another school board is battling over whether to continue a long-standing practice of opening its meetings with prayer. This time it is the Pearland Texas Independent School District, near Houston. KTRK TV reported yesterday that Suzy Roberts, one of the board's newest members, questioned the practice at a meeting and then at a board workshop. The suggestion outraged Baptist minister, Reverend Mike Hogg, who showed up with over 200 people at this month's board meeting to press for prayer to remain. Board member Roberts however says that the board should be focusing on excellence in education. She said: "If I'm a Muslim child and the board only prays to Jesus Christ,... I would think, 'Maybe my school doesn't think I matter'."