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BOE hears HealthSmart curriculum presentation; board members ask about age appropriateness, special education supports and family communication
Summary
District staff presented HealthSmart as the recommended comprehensive health curriculum aligned to CDC and New York State standards; board members raised questions about age-appropriateness, representation, special-education adaptations and professional development timing.
District instructional leaders presented HealthSmart on Wednesday as the district’s recommended comprehensive health education curriculum for middle and high school grades, saying it aligns with the Centers for Disease Control and New York State standards and offers both print and digital platforms.
"The curriculum has to be culturally sensitive, to students and families," Jason McFall, director of health, physical education and athletics, told the Schenectady City School District Board of Education. He said HealthSmart includes family take-home activities, partner and group work, and customizable, standards-aligned lessons that teachers can adapt for different grade levels and learning needs.
District leaders said the curriculum was selected after a review process in which the district’s health teachers examined multiple options. McFall said HealthSmart aligns with national and state standards and is ADA-compliant; it supports both print and digital access and uses case studies and scenario-based learning.
Board members pressed on several points: how health instruction is scheduled, whether the curriculum addresses current issues such as vaping and mental health, and how materials would be adapted for students with special needs. McFall and other staff said health instruction is offered semesterly, varies by grade level (typically in middle and high school), and that HealthSmart includes units addressing sexually transmitted infections and prevention, case studies relevant to contemporary issues, and options to remove or modify material that does not align with state or local policy.
One board member asked about professional development for teachers. Staff said training would be provided before the first professional-development day and could be delivered in person or virtually to meet district scheduling.
District staff also tied the curriculum presentation to three existing board policies that guide health instruction: Policy 82.11 (AIDS instruction and health education), Policy 82.41 (health education and family life), and Policy 83.31 (controversial issues). The presentation materials and hard-copy samples were made available to board members for review, and digital access credentials were provided for a preview of the platform.
Why it matters: Health curriculum decisions determine what information students receive about physical and mental health, sexual health and safety topics, and determine how families and special-education considerations are accommodated. Board members focused on balancing medically accurate instruction with cultural and family sensitivity.
What’s next: Board members may provide feedback to the Office of Teaching and Learning; staff said questions and comments should be directed to the curriculum team for follow-up prior to the board’s decision on curriculum adoption.
