Russell urges junk food ban.

Byline: Anne Williams The Register-Guard

Five years after approving contracts that brought more soda into high schools, the Eugene School Board may oust the sugary beverages altogether - beginning this fall.

Following the lead of a wellness policy committee, Superintendent George Russell told the school board Wednesday that he backs virtually all its recommendations, including a ban on "foods of minimal nutritional value" - soda, hard candies, marshmallows, candy popcorn, cotton candy, taffy, gum and other super-sugary sweets.

He acknowledged that the move contradicts the board's action - based on his recommendation - in 2000, when it approved controversial contracts with Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola bottlers that increased the number of vending machines in high schools in return for payments to the district.

Russell said he never believed that soda in schools was a good idea, but that there were compelling reasons to approve the contracts then. Those arguments - including the anticipated revenue and the theory that high school students are old enough to choose for themselves - don't carry as much weight today, he said, especially given recent research showing stronger links between soda, childhood obesity and compromised bone growth.

"The question for me is whether or not the schools and the school district ought to enable what we believe are bad choices," he said.

There appeared to be some confusion, though, about when any prohibition would take effect.

That's because a subsequent wellness committee recommendation, dealing specifically with vending machines, would give high schools three years to phase in a requirement that vending machines offer only options that meet yet-to-be-defined "healthy snacks" guidelines.

Russell and several others appeared to believe the three-year phase-in also applied to soda, but staff members and committee Chairwoman Jenny Ulum said the group's intent was to see the ban on soda and high-sugar sweets implemented at all schools in the 2006-07 school year.

That gave some board members pause, given that the district is only five years into the eight-year contracts, which yielded an up-front payment of $320,000 and ongoing sales commissions. The initial payment was used for bleachers and lighting at high school athletic fields.

The board two years ago discussed the option of buying out the contracts early, but balked at the estimated $300,000 cost. The cost today would be somewhat less.

Board member Virginia Thompson said she hasn't changed her mind on that, and wouldn't favor spending a penny to shake loose of them.

The only other option would be to renegotiate with the companies to stock beverages other than soda.

Both companies also produce bottled water, fruit drinks and other beverages that would not fall under the U.S. Department of Agriculture's definition of foods with minimal nutritional value.

Pepsi already has indicated a willingness to renegotiate, and Russell said he'll investigate options before an April 19 public hearing.

Russell's proposal, which covers physical activity as well as nutrition, also encourages integrating more physical activity into the school curriculum, developing school gardens and incorporating organic food into the school meals program when possible.

The use of candy as a reward for academic performance or good behavior would be "strongly discouraged" - a slight deviation from the committee's recommendation to ban it altogether.

The Wellness Policy will answer a new federal mandate that all districts have such policies in place by next year. The Bethel School District is close to approving its policy, but the Springfield district only recently started, following a similar process with a broad-based committee.

Following board approval next month, Russell, with advice from another yet-to-be-formed committee, will begin developing detailed rules for the policy, including "healthy snacks" and "healthy parties" guidelines.

PUBLIC HEARING

The Eugene School Board will hold a hearing on the proposed wellness policy at 7 p.m. April 19 at the Education Center, 200 N. Monroe St. The board is scheduled to take action at its May 3 meeting. The policy may be viewed on the Internet at www.4j.lane.edu.