Howard County Schools Superintendent Sydney Cousin wants high schools to voluntarily remove junk food and sodas from vending machines during after-school activities.
“If there is no interest, I think [Cousin] will volunteer a school,” said Board Chairman Joshua Kaufman of the action that will begin next year.
“It?s a matter of kids having good, healthy choices,” said Cousin, following the School Board?s recent vote on the new health and wellness policy.
The wellness policy has been a source of contention among the community since last fall, with some calling for a ban of sugary foods before and after school, and others complaining that such a move would cut into sales among booster groups.
Still others asked the board to include stronger language to boost physical activity during the school day.
In the end, the board banned junk food during the school day and put language in the policy calling for more physical activity within the school curricula.
To strengthen the document, the superintendent developed a proposal with the board?s support. Cousin?s plan includes obtaining an independent evaluation of food and physical activity in the school system and reviewing nutritional and physical education plans of other school systems nationwide.
New policy highlights
» Food of minimal nutritional value will not be sold or given without charge during the school day.
» Beverage sales in the cafeteria are limited to water, flavored water, flavored and unflavored milk, 100 percent fruit and vegetable juices and fruit and vegetable juices with at least 10 percent juice and 100 percent Vitamin C.
» Sodas, iced teas and sports drinks can be sold only at the secondary level and must make up no more than 50 percent of the vending machines selections.
