School Health Advisory Council (SHAC)
School Health Advisory Council (SHAC)
The East Central ISD School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) brings together parents, educators, and community members who share a commitment to supporting the health and well-being of ECISD students. The council works in partnership with district leadership to review and provide recommendations on programs and policies that promote healthy schools and support student success.
Healthy students are better prepared to learn, grow, and succeed. The SHAC helps ensure ECISD schools create environments where both health and learning can thrive.
Mission Statement
The East Central ISD School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) serves as a collaborative partnership of parents, educators, and community stakeholders to advise and support coordinated health and wellness practices. We are committed to promoting a safe, supportive environment that fosters the physical, emotional, and social well-being of all students and staff—empowering them with the knowledge and skills to thrive in school, contribute to their community, and lead healthy, successful lives.
Goal Statement
The East Central ISD School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) will evaluate and strengthen health curricula and wellness initiatives to ensure alignment with current research, legal requirements, and best practices. Through active participation, outreach, and collaborative partnerships, SHAC will support and expand opportunities that promote the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of students and staff. Additionally, SHAC will advise district leadership on policies, practices, and environments that foster safe, supportive, and health-promoting schools—cultivating shared ownership of student health outcomes across the East Central ISD community.
Purpose of the SHAC
About the SHAC
What is the SHAC?
The School Health Advisory Council is a district-created advisory body required by Texas law to support and strengthen coordinated school health programming.
The SHAC helps ensure that:
- School health programs reflect local community values
- Health education aligns with state requirements
- Students are supported through a Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) approach
- Health and wellness initiatives contribute to improved academic achievement and student attendance
Through collaboration with families, educators, and community partners, the SHAC supports programs that promote the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of ECISD students.
Legal Foundation
Under Texas Education Code §28.004, every school district must:
- Establish a School Health Advisory Council
- Appoint at least five members
- Ensure a majority of members are parents of enrolled students who are not district employees
- Appoint a parent as chair or co-chair
- Meet at least four times per year
- Submit an annual written report to the Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees must consider SHAC recommendations before making changes to the health education curriculum or instruction.
SHAC Responsibilities
What Does SHAC Do?
The School Health Advisory Council provides recommendations to the Board of Trustees related to student health programs and policies, including:
- Health education curriculum
- Physical activity and fitness programs
- Student nutrition guidelines
- School wellness initiatives
- Mental health and student support services
- Policies addressing tobacco and e-cigarette use
- Other health-related programs that support student learning
Texas law also requires SHAC input on certain health topics, including:
- Obesity prevention
- Cardiovascular disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Suicide prevention
- Opioid addiction
- Human sexuality education
- Child abuse awareness
- Family violence prevention
- Dating violence prevention
- Sex trafficking awareness
For certain topics, the SHAC must hold public meetings before making recommendations.
Coordinated School Health
The SHAC supports a coordinated approach to student health and wellness that may include:
- Health education
- Physical education and activity
- Nutrition services
- Counseling and mental health support
- Safe and supportive school environments
- Staff wellness initiatives
- Community partnerships
These efforts reflect the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) framework, which recognizes that student health and academic success are closely connected.
Community Representation
The School Health Advisory Council represents a broad cross-section of the ECISD community.
Membership may include:
- Parents (majority required by law)
- Teachers and administrators
- Students
- Health professionals
- Law enforcement representatives
- Business and community leaders
- Nonprofit organizations
- Local domestic violence prevention programs
This diverse representation helps ensure that SHAC recommendations reflect the needs, perspectives, and values of the community ECISD serves.
Meetings & Public Participation
SHAC Meetings
School Health Advisory Council meetings are open to the public, and community members are welcome to attend and observe the council’s discussions.
Meeting notices, agendas, and minutes are posted publicly to promote transparency and public awareness.
Opportunities for public input may be provided in accordance with SHAC procedures and meeting guidelines.
SHAC Meeting Dates & Minutes:
- SHAC Meeting Dates & Minutes 2025–2026
- March 2026: Agenda | Meeting Minutes | Audio
- April 2026: Agenda | Meeting Minutes | Audio
Accountability & Transparency
To maintain transparency and community trust, the SHAC works to ensure:
- Meeting notices are publicly posted
- Meetings are recorded when required
- Meeting minutes are maintained and accessible
- Recommendations are documented
- Annual written recommendations are submitted to the Board of Trustees
Transparency strengthens collaboration among schools, families, and the broader community.
Public Notice of SHAC Meetings
In accordance with Texas Education Code §28.004, East Central ISD provides public notice of School Health Advisory Council meetings.
Meeting notices are posted at least 72 hours in advance and include the meeting date, time, and location. Agendas and meeting materials are made available when possible to ensure transparency and community awareness.
Community members are welcome to attend SHAC meetings as observers.
SHAC Resources
- SHAC Presentation
- Spanish SHAC Presentation
- SHAC Bylaws
- ECISD Wellness Plan
SHAC Compliance Documents
- SHAC Bylaws
- SHAC Membership List
- SHAC Annual Report to the Board
Presenting to the SHAC
Organizations or ECISD departments wishing to present a health-related topic, program, or curriculum to the SHAC must complete the Item Submission Request Form.
The ECISD department overseeing the program must submit the request for review.
Submissions will be reviewed by the SHAC Executive Committee (Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Facilitator) to determine if the item will be scheduled for a future meeting.
SHAC Item Submission Request Form (coming soon)
(ECISD Central Office Department Employees Only)
SHAC Membership
SHAC Membership Application
Parents and community members interested in serving on the School Health Advisory Council are encouraged to apply.
Applications are reviewed in accordance with district procedures, and members are appointed by the East Central ISD Board of Trustees.
- SHAC Membership Application (COMING SOON)
Reporting to the Board of Trustees
The School Health Advisory Council provides recommendations to district leadership regarding student health and wellness initiatives.
SHAC updates and recommendations may be presented to the East Central ISD Board of Trustees to support informed decision-making regarding student health programs and district wellness policies.
The Big Picture
The School Health Advisory Council serves as a bridge between ECISD schools and the community.
Its work helps ensure that student health initiatives:
- Support academic success
- Reflect local community priorities
- Comply with Texas law
- Are guided by collaborative decision-making
When functioning effectively, the SHAC strengthens not only compliance, but also partnerships, trust, and student outcomes across East Central ISD.
SHAC Mission Options
🌟 1. Whole Learner Wellness Mission
The mission of the East Central ISD School Health Advisory Council is to promote and advocate for the physical, emotional, and social wellness of all students and staff, ensuring that every learner is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and support to thrive in school and in life.
🧠 2. Health Education & Lifelong Healthy Habits Mission
The mission of the East Central ISD SHAC is to advise, support, and recommend coordinated health education and wellness practices that foster lifelong healthy behaviors, empower families, and reflect community values throughout our district.
🤝 3. Collaborative Community Health Mission
The mission of the East Central ISD School Health Advisory Council is to serve as a collaborative partnership of parents, educators, and community stakeholders to ensure local values are represented in health instruction and to strengthen the connection between health and academic success for all students.
💪 4. Holistic Health Engagement Mission
The mission of the East Central ISD SHAC is to advocate for holistic student health and wellbeing through active engagement, communication, and partnerships, promoting a safe and supportive environment where students and staff can learn, grow, and flourish.
🍎 5. Healthy Learners, Strong Communities Mission
The mission of the East Central ISD School Health Advisory Council is to work in partnership with families and community agencies to positively influence student health attitudes and behaviors, ensuring healthy students are better learners and active contributors to our school community.
SHAC Goal Options
🎯 1. Review & Enhance Health Education Programs
Evaluate current health curricula and wellness initiatives regularly and recommend updates to ensure they reflect current research, legal requirements, and best practices that support lifelong student health and align with East Central ISD educational goals.
🧠 2. Promote Staff & Student Well-Being
Support and expand health, wellness, and mental health opportunities for both students and staff by identifying needs, fostering partnerships, and promoting initiatives that enhance physical and emotional well-being throughout the East Central ISD community.
🤝 3. Increase Family & Community Engagement
Grow active participation from parents, caregivers, and community stakeholders in SHAC activities, health education outreach, and wellness events to strengthen shared ownership of student health outcomes within East Central ISD.
🍎 4. Advocate for Healthy School Environments
Advise district leadership on policies, practices, and environmental changes that foster safe, supportive, and health-promoting school settings— including nutrition, physical activity, and social-emotional support systems.
📊 5. Monitor & Evaluate Wellness Impact
Develop measurable objectives, collect relevant data, and monitor progress on key health and wellness indicators to ensure continuous improvement towards East Central ISD’s SHAC priorities and share outcomes with the Board of Trustees.