Board approves SHAC‑recommended edits to HSAE middle‑school curriculum after debate over content and parent notice

The Northeast ISD board voted 5–2 to approve SHAC‑recommended edits to the district’s grade Human Sexuality and Abstinence Education (HSAE) and abuse‑prevention materials for implementation in the 2025–26 school year.

Christy Burgett, chair of the CHASE standing committee that reviewed the materials, told the full board the committee and the School Health Advisory Council had completed multiple reviews and votes before forwarding the recommendation. Burgett said the CHASE committee met repeatedly during the 2023–24 and 2024–25 cycles and that the committee’s edits cover teacher leader guides, digital teacher tools, videos and student note‑taking guides. She said the Chase action carried an electronic committee vote and the SHAC unanimously recommended the edited materials to the board.

The vote followed extended trustee discussion about specific language and whether some elements went beyond what trustees considered age‑appropriate for graders. Trustee Marsha Landry voiced opposition on grounds that references in the materials that list modes of transmission and certain examples of intimate behavior “introduce” concepts to students at an earlier age than she and others find acceptable. Landry said some families have removed students from the district over similar concerns.

Trustee Michelle Cox and other board members who supported approval said the curriculum emphasizes abstinence, contains preventive health information and is presented only to students whose parents opt in. Cox told the board the materials also include family engagement components that prompt parent‑child conversations and noted that, in practice, the district’s opt‑in rate has been high. “I’d much rather my child learn about those words in a controlled classroom environment where I trust the teacher,” Cox said.

Administrators and SHAC leaders told the board parents have access to the instructional materials online and that the district posts guidance and summaries for review. Trustees asked whether the permission form explicitly alerts parents to potentially sensitive topics; officials replied that parents can view full materials but suggested the board may want to consider a clearer notice about sensitive topics on the opt‑in form so families can make an informed choice.

Board action. Trustee Gigi (motion moved) initiated the motion to accept the SHAC recommendation; the motion carried on a 5–2 vote after debate and public comment. The district will implement the edited grade HSAE materials in the next school year and continue to post resources for parent review. Administrators said they will work with SHAC and communications staff on clearer notices and parent access procedures.

What was emphasized. SHAC chair Tony Kamen explained the council’s statutory role under Texas Education Code §28.004 to recommend health instruction matters to the board, and committee members said they used an iterative review and edit process (CHASE held 19 meetings in the prior year) to reconcile community feedback, TEKS guidance and curricular vendor content. The board directed staff to bring any changes to the parental‑notice process back to a future meeting for formal action if needed.