School Health Advisory Council

The school board shall create a School Health Advisory Council as defined in Texas Education Code Chapter 28, Section 28.004.

SHAC assists the district to ensure that local community values are reflected in the district's health education instruction.

SHAC provides guidance to the district on coordinated school health programming, including curriculum, and its impact on student health and learning.

The board of trustees shall appoint at least five members to SHAC.

• A majority of members must be parents of students enrolled in the district and not Hutto ISD employees.
• One of the parent members must be chair or co-chair.

The Board of Trustees may also appoint one or more members from the following groups:

• District-employed teachers
• District-employed counselors
• District-employed school administrators
• District students
• Health care professionals
• Business community
• Law enforcement
• Senior citizens
• Clergy
• Nonprofit health organization
• Local domestic violence program
• A representative from a group other than those listed above

SHAC makes policy recommendations to the school board on a wide variety of issues regarding student health in district programming and curriculum, including:

• Recommending the number of hours of instruction to be provided in K-8 health education.
• If the district requires health education for high school graduation, recommending the number of hours of instruction to be provided in health education, including physical health education and mental health education for grades 9-12.
• Recommending policies, procedures, strategies and curriculum appropriate for specific grade levels designed to prevent physical health concerns, including obesity, cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.
• Recommending policies, procedures, strategies and curriculum appropriate for specific grade levels designed to prevent mental health concerns, including suicide.
• Supporting coordination of health education, school health services, mental health services, physical education and physical activity, comprehensive school counseling, parental involvement, a safe and healthy school environment, substance abuse prevention instruction and school employee wellness.
• Recommending strategies for integrating health curriculum components in a coordinated school health program for the district.
• Recommending, if feasible, joint use agreements or strategies for collaboration between the district and community organizations or agencies.
• Recommending strategies to increase parental awareness regarding risky behaviors and early warning signs of suicide risks and behavioral health concerns, including mental health disorders and substance use disorders.
• Recommending appropriate grade levels and methods of instruction for human sexuality instruction.
• Recommending appropriate grade levels and curriculum for instruction regarding opioid addiction and abuse and methods of administering an opioid antagonist.
• Recommending appropriate grade levels and curriculum for instruction regarding child abuse, family violence, dating violence and sex trafficking, including warning signs that a child may be at risk for sex trafficking.

SHAC recommendations must not conflict with required Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills curriculum.

The local SHAC must submit an annual written report to the school board that includes:

• Any SHAC recommendation concerning the school district's health education curriculum and instruction.
• Any suggested modification to a SHAC recommendation previously submitted to the board.
• A detailed explanation of SHAC activities during the period between the date of the current report and the date of the last prior written report.
• Any recommendations made by the physical activity and fitness planning subcommittee of SHAC.

TSHAC has developed a PowerPoint presentation template to assist SHACs with their annual report to the board. This template may be downloaded from the TSHAC website.

Texas Education Code §28.004

Texas Education Code Section 28.004 addresses Local School Health Advisory Councils and health education instruction.

Yes. Every public school district is required to have a SHAC.

Texas Education Code Section 28.004 does not apply to Open Enrollment Charter Schools; however, it is considered best practice.

District of Innovation: Texas Association of School Boards Board Policy AF(LEGAL) includes a list of prohibited exemptions, which reflects Texas Administrative Code rules. It is recommended to consult with district legal counsel or TASB Legal Services.

SHAC is required to meet at least four times during the school year.

Texas Education Code §28.004

For each meeting, SHAC shall:

• At least 72 hours prior to the meeting, post notice of the date, time, location and subject of the SHAC meeting at the central administration building and at each campus in the school district.
• Post the meeting notice on the district’s internet website.
• Prepare and maintain minutes of the meeting.
• Include the subject and content of each deliberation and each vote, order, decision or other action taken by SHAC during the meeting.
• Make an audio or video recording of the meeting.
• Submit the minutes and recording of the meeting to the district not more than 10 days after the meeting was held.
• The district must post minutes and a recording of meetings on the district website as soon as practicable.

SHAC is not subject to all Texas Open Meetings Act requirements.

SHAC is responsible for making recommendations to the board, not adopting policy.

Public comment is not required. Communication is encouraged and is considered best practice.

Texas Education Code Section 28.004 (l-1) requires SHAC to establish a physical activity and fitness planning subcommittee to:

• Consider issues related to student physical activity and fitness.
• Make policy recommendations to increase physical activity and improve fitness among students.

Recommendations made by the physical activity and fitness planning subcommittee should be included in SHAC’s annual report to the board.