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Uvalde CISD board adopts reproductive‑health curriculum after SHAC review
Summary
The district’s Student Health Advisory Committee recommended Real Essentials (Starting Point and Advanced) and LoveNotes 4.0; trustees voted to adopt the curricula and administration highlighted opt‑in parental control and UT Teen Health support including a 3‑year subaward.
The Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District board unanimously voted Wednesday to adopt a set of reproductive‑health curricula recommended by the district’s Student Health Advisory Committee.
The SHAC recommended Real Essentials Starting Point and Real Essentials Advanced (Center for Relationship Education) and LoveNotes 4.0 (Dibble Institute). The board voted to accept the recommendation in the public meeting after SHAC held public input sessions and made the curricula available for review.
Miranda Dvorak, a SHAC representative, and guests from UT Teen Health outlined the process the committee used, noting state law and board policy require SHAC to hold public meetings and to make materials available before the board votes. Dvorak said the SHAC prioritized evidence‑based materials that teach anatomy and physiology, healthy relationships and communication skills, and that the materials can be tailored by the district. An UT Teen Health representative said the organization would cover curriculum costs, provide training for staff and has prepared a subaward proposal that would provide approximately $60,000 a year to the district for three years.
The board motion to adopt the curricula was made by Trustee Suarez and seconded by Trustee Rizzo; the motion carried unanimously.
SHAC and UT Teen Health discussed implementation options and parental controls. The committee and presenters emphasized that Texas law requires parental opt‑in for reproductive‑health instruction; the SHAC recommended parents retain control and suggested multiple implementation models such as advisory periods, pull‑outs from electives or embedding the lessons into existing health or biology classes. Dvorak said the materials include short lessons, and the district can build an appropriate scope and sequence and confirm whether sessions are delivered in advisory, health classes or other settings.
UT Teen Health and SHAC members also said they would offer parent information sessions and that some districts have used peer‑educator programs. The presenters and trustees stressed that parents will be able to opt students out and that the district will provide alternate activities for students whose parents withhold consent.
Ending: The board adopted the SHAC recommendation and asked administration and SHAC to plan community‑facing meetings and an implementation approach that preserves parental control over participation.
