DALLAS (KRLD) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is investigating 29 school districts across the state, including Dallas, Fort Worth and Plano ISDs, for possible failure to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms and to hold required school board votes on prayer time.
Paxton’s office announced the probe and sent formal demands for records on Thursday. The action targets compliance with two laws passed by the Texas Legislature last year: Senate Bill 10, which requires public schools to display a donated copy of the Protestant version of the Ten Commandments in every classroom, and Senate Bill 11, which directs school boards to vote on setting aside time for voluntary prayer or reading of religious texts.
Under the law, districts must accept and display privately donated posters that meet state specifications but are not required to purchase them. The Ten Commandments requirement took effect in September 2025. Several North Texas districts have said they have not received qualifying donations, while others faced earlier court challenges.
Attorney General Paxton Announces Investigations into Texas ISDs Across the State to Ensure the Districts are Displaying the Ten Commandments and Have Taken a Board Vote to Allow Prayer in Schools: https://t.co/hx97ycvOEI
— Texas Attorney General (@TXAG) May 7, 2026
Paxton’s investigation seeks proof that the selected districts are displaying the posters where required and that their boards have voted on the prayer policy. He has stated the move is necessary to uphold state law and defend students’ religious freedom.
The probe comes after a recent federal appeals court ruling cleared the way for enforcement of the Ten Commandments requirement. Some districts had previously been blocked by lower court injunctions.
No safety concerns or injuries are involved. The investigation focuses solely on regulatory compliance. Districts have been directed to provide the requested documents promptly; Paxton’s office has not yet indicated what penalties could follow if violations are confirmed.
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