School Health Advisory Council (SHAC)
SHAC Overview
The School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) is a group of individuals representing segments of the West community, appointed by the school district and Board of Trustees, to provide advice to the district on coordinated school health programming and its impact on student health and learning.
The SHAC provides an efficient, effective structure for creating and implementing age-appropriate, sequential health education programs and early intervention and prevention strategies that can easily be supported by local families and community stakeholders.
SHAC Mission Statement
The mission of the West ISD School Health Advisory Council (SHAC), in partnership with the staff, students, parents, and community, is to advise the West ISD Board of Trustees on coordinated and age-appropriate school health programming that motivates and promotes safe and healthy lifestyles for all.
How does the SHAC help West ISD students?
The SHAC is instrumental in improving student health and creating healthy schools by:
- Helping all West ISD schools meet community involvement mandates and community expectations,
- Providing a way for community members to work together with school personnel to accomplish district goals,
- Utilizing community resources and assets,
- Influencing people within a community to be a credible, collective voice for healthy children and youth,
- Providing a forum for sharing youth health information, resources, perspectives and a range of advice,
- Fostering member’s personal satisfaction and understanding of their role in strengthening their community by supporting coordinated school health; and
- Fostering cooperation by building trust and consensus among grassroots organizations, community segments, and diverse citizens.
What are the responsibilities of the SHAC?
The SHAC must address the responsibilities outlined in Title 2, Chapter 28, Section 28.004 of the Texas Education Code. However, the West ISD SHAC strives to address all eight components of a coordinated school health program as listed here:
- health instruction,
- healthy school environment,
- health services,
- physical education,
- school counseling,
- food service,
- school site health promotion for faculty and staff; and
- involvement with parents and the community.
When does the SHAC Meet?
The West ISD SHAC meetings are traditionally held at the West ISD Administration Building. These meetings are open to the public. Below, you will find the dates of the upcoming West ISD SHAC meetings.
- Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at 6:00 PM via Zoom Online Meeting
- Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 6:00 PM via Zoom Online Meeting
- Note: The SHAC Subcommittees will meet between this meeting and the March 25 meeting.
- Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at 6:00 PM via Zoom Online Meeting
- Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 6:00 PM via Zoom Online Meeting
- 2023-2024 SHAC Work and 2024-2025 SHAC Goals Presentation and Public Hearing: Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at 6:00 PM at the West ISD Administration Building
- David Truitt, Coordinator
- Megan Cox, Chair and Parent
- TBD, Vice-Chair and Parent
- TBD, Secretary and Parent
- Wendy Jones, Principal Representative
- Loretta Kucera, Nursing Staff Representative
- Misty Cook, Kristie Bryant, Melaney O'Neil, Claudia McGlothen, and Stacey Talley, Counselor Representatives
- Cathy Gerik, Child Nutrition Representative
- Terri Tobola, Staff Wellness Representative
- Officer Perry Hyden, Emergency Operations and Law Enforcement Representative
- Holly Willis, Board of Trustees Representative
- Amanda Adams, Assistant Superintendent
- Mandy Belew and John Knutson, Teaching Staff Representatives, West Elementary School
- Alyssa Biles and Kendra Atkinson, Teaching Staff Representatives, West Middle School
- Chelsey Lauer and Christina Harwell, Teaching Staff Representatives, West High School
- Robyn Vicars, Parent Representative
- Laura Klander, Parent Representative
- Rebekah Mechell, Parent Representative
- Shanna Robins-Donnell, Parent Representative
- Dr. LaTrisha Spain, Health Services Representative
- Matt Overcash, Community Representative
- TBD, Community Representative
- Dr. John Crowder, Clergy Representative
- Tom Willis, Nonprofit Healthcare Representative
- Lisa Baker, Waco-McLennan County Public Health District
- Addison Macik, Student Representative
- Sam Janek, Student Representative