Tangipahoa Parish committee adopts revised school wellness policy; clarifies packaged-food rule and activity minutes

The Tangipahoa Parish Policy Committee on Sept. 2 adopted revisions to Policy JGB, the district's School Wellness Policy, updating the policy to incorporate recent state and federal guidance and to clarify rules on foods brought to schools and daily physical-activity requirements.

A staff presenter told the committee the changes "took all the regulations and not only added them, but they kind of made an adjustment to where they fit the needs of Tangipahoa Parish School System," and asked the committee to adopt the revisions so they could be implemented. The presenter thanked Carolyn McPherson, the district dietician, and noted Kendra Reed could not attend.

The revised policy clarifies that foods brought for classroom snacks, celebrations or similar activities must be prepackaged. The presenter said, "With all the revisions, we ask that you adopt these so we can get them implemented," and later reiterated that "Nothing in this policy will impact anything that we are currently doing" in schools.

Committee members asked whether the prepackaged requirement would limit commonly used items in positive-behavior programs and school fundraisers. The presenter and committee members discussed examples such as popsicles and pizza, noting that many of those items are available prepackaged or through commercial vendors (for example, delivery from a pizza vendor). The committee was told that existing fundraiser options and PBIS (positive behavioral interventions and supports) activities would not be restricted by the revisions.

The revisions also incorporate the state guidance on physical-activity requirements. The policy text references a 30-minute-per-day physical-activity expectation and a separate requirement that kindergarten through fifth-grade programs include at least 15 minutes of recess. The presenter explained the 15 minutes of recess is part of the scheduling requirement for K'5 classes and may be included within the overall daily activity total (for example, split across lunch and brief classroom breaks), saying the 15-minute recess "may not be all at one time" and that schools are addressing scheduling to meet both expectations.

The committee opened the matter for a vote after discussion. A motion to adopt the revisions was made by Board Member Toler and seconded by Board Member Anthony; the transcript records that voting was opened and the meeting proceeded to the next agenda item, indicating the committee adopted the policy as presented. The transcript does not include a detailed roll-call tally for that vote.

The presenter noted that language on "nonstudent meals" had been removed from JGB and will be placed in a separate policy; the transcript referred to another policy code but did not specify the exact code. The committee said the change was procedural and would not alter current practice.

The committee did not raise specific funding changes tied to the wellness revisions during the discussion.

What happens next: The committee's approval moves the revised JGB into the board agenda for final action at the board meeting; the transcript shows the meeting moved on to the next item after the vote.