Board approves policy 62.20 on school nutrition services; member asks policy committee to revisit 'school day' wording

The Cabarrus County Board of Education approved Policy 62.20, "Operation of School Nutrition Services," on first read Monday, with a 6–1 vote.

Board member Greg Mills, a vice chair, said he wanted the matter referred back to the policy committee for clearer, consistent language after multiple board members raised concerns about the policy's specified time definition of the school day.

"As a member of the policy committee, I've heard you raise this issue several times," Mills said. He urged referral so the committee can address the language and avoid repeated debate when the policy returns.

The concern centers on a provision that defines the school day by clock times (including a window for when outside food and beverages may be sold on campus) to meet federal requirements for child nutrition funding. One board member questioned the stated times and suggested comparing the definition with other district policies or citing the controlling law instead of hard-coded hours. District staff at the meeting said the time frame is intended to align with federal regulations so the district qualifies for federal child nutrition funding.

A motion to approve the policy on first read passed 6–1; the transcript records the chair calling the vote and announcing the tally. The board did not adopt an amendment to the time definition that evening; Mills' request would send the language back to the policy committee for review.

The vote was recorded in open session; the board did not take other action on nutrition funding at the meeting.