Published: April 08, 2008 11:20 pm         

BOE considers soft drink ban

Citing obesity and overall health concerns, the Raleigh County Board of Education may ban all soda pop sales at county high schools.

The proposed policy was unanimously approved for a 30-day comment period during Tuesday’s board meeting. Rose Cook, child nutrition director for the school system, said pop can be sold at county high schools except during breakfast and lunch. The new policy would bar pop sales during the entire school day.

Such a policy, Cook noted, is already in place at the county’s elementary and middle schools.

A wellness committee recommended such a measure after 26 other counties in the state took similar action, Cook said.

State schools Superintendent Steve Paine is urging all school officials to examine such an option because of obesity and other health concerns, Raleigh Superintendent Charlotte Hutchens said. Hutchens understood some schools would be concerned about lost pop machine revenues.

Cook said schools could still operate vending machines, but instead of pop, they would have to contain juice or bottled water.

Any school official, parent, student or concerned citizen can send their comments to the board during the 30-day period. A copy of the proposed policy should be available at the board office, local schools or at the Raleigh County Schools’ Web site (http://boe.rale.k12.wv.us).

Also Tuesday:

The board approved the 2008-09 school calendar. Assistant superintendent Janet Lilly said employees chose one that did not give them a full week off during Thanksgiving week. The rejected option, though, would have had them working Christmas Eve.

Vernon Haltom of Naoma, co-director of Coal River Mountain Watch, addressed the board regarding CRMW’s concerns about Marsh Fork Elementary School.

A Massey Energy subsidiary operates a 168-foot silo situated about 225 feet from the school. Haltom said Massey has applied for an amendment that will enlarge the mine.

He asked board members to attend an “informal conference” scheduled for 6 p.m. April 14 at Marsh Fork Elementary.

The board recognized the state champion Woodrow Wilson High School boys’ basketball team and state champion Liberty High School wrestlers.

— E-mail: apridemore

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