School board considers healthy menus

The Jackson County School Board discussed the integration of healthier menus in all Jackson County schools at Tuesday’s board meeting. The presentation given by Food Service General Manager Jack Noonan encouraged the board to consider incorporating healthier choices for menu items in upcoming school years.
Noonan explained that healthier foods and healthier lifestyles are imperative for the future and help children to think, grow and develop into healthy adults.
As part of the “Be Smart ... Eat Smart ... Live Smart” program initiated by Jackson County’s food service provider Sodexho, criteria has been established for a new school menus. The focus is on portion sizes, as well as a standard for calories, fats, cholesterol and sodium per recipe.
The board is in favor of a healthier menu, however, certain menu items are still up for discussion. Board member Betty Duffee expressed her concern with foreign foods such as mandarin oranges, and explained she would rather add locally grown fruits and vegetables, such as satsuma oranges, for the purpose of cost and growth of the local economy.
In other news from the meeting, the board elected a new chairman and vice chairman for following year. Kenneth Griffin was returned as chairman. Charlotte Gardner was named the new vice chairman.
All other agenda items for the meeting were approved, with the exception of the proposed student progression plan. This plan determines the criteria for a student’s promotion to the next grade. One change awaiting approval is the requirement that students in first and second grades must receive a minimum yearly average of a 70, or “C”, in reading, and now also in mathematics. Currently, first and second grade students are only required to have a minimum yearly average of a 60, or “D”, in mathematics.
Another change awaiting approval is the requirement for eighth grade students to successfully pass three courses in all four main subject areas, rather than just three out of four. The elimination of norm reference testing in grades kindergarten through second, is another possible adjustment. The expansion of the Virtual School option to full time for grades kindergarten through eighth, and part or full time for grades nine through 12, is also a possible addition.
Superintendent Lee W. Miller told the board he would like to discuss these topics further before approving the plan.