Members of
State Board of Education Attempt to Overturn Vending
Machine Policy
The KDA reported in the
Spring 2010 issue
of the Journal of the Kansas Dental Association that the Kansas State Board
of Education had voted 7-3 to adopt the Kansas pre-Kindergarten through grade 12
wellness policy guidelines on vending machines.
During the State Board's June meeting, however, some Board members attempted and
failed to overturn that policy.
The State Board received feedback from stakeholders regarding the policy.
Several, including Oral Health Kansas, thanked the Board for their leadership on
creating a healthy learning environment for Kansas schoolchildren. Others asked
the Board to re-consider or delay implementation of the policy. The primary
arguments against the policy centered on potential revenue loss to schools,
which assumes that schools will see lower vending machine sales, and on a desire
for the beverage industry to be able to sell diet sodas in the school vending
machines.
One school superintendent thanked the Board of Education for creating
consistency for the children in his district. He said now all children in his
district will see only healthy food and beverage options at breakfast, lunch and
in the vending machines.
While no action was taken to attempt again to overturn or delay implementation
of the policy this week, Board Chair Janet Waugh indicated the issue may come up
again at another monthly State Board of Education meeting.
The KDA will continue to follow this story and bring you any further
developments. |
