The Calvert County Board of Education on Jan. 14 approved changes to the district's school food services policy, adopted intra-category budget transfers and several routine items, and deferred final action on the district's nutrition and wellness policy after an extended discussion and motions to revise language.

Board members voted to approve Policy 4305 (School Food Services Program) after staff revisions clarifying regulatory language and the program's financial posture. The board also approved a set of intra-category budget transfers intended to rebalance accounts midyear and addressed workforce development leasing costs. Several routine items including election of officers and the consent agenda were handled by unanimous votes.

The board did not finalize Policy 1450 (Nutrition and Wellness) at this meeting. Board members debated proposed wording changes, including whether to reference the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendation of 60 minutes of daily physical activity and whether to use the phrase "scientific evidence" or "research." Board members asked staff to revise the draft and return it for further public review and comment before the next scheduled meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Election of board officers: Motion to nominate Jana Post for president and Lisa Greniss for vice president was moved and seconded; the board recorded approval. (Outcome: approved; vote tally recorded in the meeting as unanimous.)

- Consent agenda: Motion to approve consent agenda carried by unanimous vote.

- Policy 4305 (School Food Services Program): Board approved language changes replacing the word "mandates" with "regulations" and clarifying that the child nutrition program should operate without subsidy from local operating budget funds. (Outcome: approved; vote recorded as unanimous.)

- Policy 1450 (Nutrition and Wellness): Board did not approve the revised policy at this meeting; staff will revise and reissue the document for public review. (Outcome: not finalized; staff to revise.)

- Budget transfers: Board approved intra-category transfers that net to zero within categories; transfers include adjustments to workforce development leasing costs. (Outcome: approved; vote recorded as unanimous.)

- Board calendar revision: Board approved changing the public meeting start time to 6 p.m. beginning with the revised calendar. (Outcome: approved; unanimous vote.)

- Motion to enter closed session under the Maryland Open Meetings Act: Board approved the motion to go into closed session citing Maryland Code provisions; vote recorded as unanimous.

Board members and staff repeatedly emphasized fiscal constraints as they discussed food-service options and policy language. Child nutrition staff said the program is expected to be self-supporting and that changes to require more fresh, on-site prepared items could increase costs. Members asked staff to explore options while also protecting the district's fiscal position.

The meeting record shows staff will return revised language on the nutrition and wellness policy for public review, and several policies presented for review (weapons possession, FMLA, personnel files, certification/licensure, rehiring retired teachers and principals, employee recognition) were posted for the required 30-day review period.