AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Austin ISD and several other Central Texas school districts are facing investigations from the Texas Attorney General's office in connection with a state law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that investigation into 29 districts across the state Thursday, including the Austin, Dripping Springs, and Lake Travis independent school districts.
The investigation focuses on Senate Bill 11, a 2025 law that mandates schools hang posters of the religious text and requires school boards to hold a record vote on whether to allow voluntary in-school prayer. Most districts currently under investigation were previously involved in litigation regarding the statute, which survived a constitutional challenge after an appeals court overturned a lower court's ruling that the law was unconstitutional.
For Austin ISD, it is the third time this year the district has been scrutinized by the AG's office. Paxton previously demanded information regarding staff involvement in student immigration protests and investigated a parent's complaint concerning the district's gender-neutral bathroom policies.
Despite threats of daily fines, Austin ISD officials confirmed last week that no financial penalties have been incurred to date.
Lake Travis ISD officials stated they are prepared to comply with the display requirements once donated posters are provided, noting the statute relies on private donations rather than public funding.
The legal landscape surrounding the Ten Commandments mandate remains fluid as the case moves toward a potential appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Supporters of the law argue the document is a foundational piece of American history, while opponents contend the mandate serves as an unconstitutional state-sponsored endorsement of Christianity in public schools.
Austin ISD had previously sought dismissal from related lawsuits, agreeing to abide by the final judicial outcomes. However, the district continues to face mounting pressure from state authorities, including two separate pending investigations by the Texas Education Agency regarding its handling of annual Pride Week activities and immigration-related student walkouts.
The broad scope of Paxton’s current investigation also includes districts across the state, such as Fort Bend, Northside, and Plano ISDs. The Attorney General’s office has not yet specified what actions will be taken against districts found to be in non-compliance with the posting or voting requirements of Senate Bill 11.
