School board suspends rules and adopts revised vending-machine policy effective immediately

Chesterfield County Public Schools’ board on April 8 voted to suspend its regular policy-adoption rules and adopt revisions to Policy 7020, which governs the sale of food items on school premises.

Mr. Smith presented the recommended changes to Policy 7020, explaining the proposal would require that vending machines on school property, inside and outside buildings, be operated under the authority and direction of Food Nutrition Services and that third-party vendor arrangements comply with associated regulations.

Under board policy 1200, the division may suspend its usual rules when circumstances warrant immediate action; the board moved to suspend rules and waive a second reading. After a motion and second, the clerk conducted a roll call; Scott Hefron, Dominique Chatters, Steven Pronto, Lisa Hudgins and Anne Coker recorded “I” and the motion to waive the second reading carried. The board then moved to adopt the policy; the roll call again recorded five affirmative votes and the policy became effective immediately, per the motion.

School attorneys had reviewed the proposed revision, Mr. Smith said, and the administration recommended immediate adoption so the policy could take effect without delay.

The board did not add amendments during the meeting; staff noted the changes would be effective immediately upon adoption and that third-party vendor operations must comply with any associated regulations.

Board members recorded unanimous affirmative votes among those present; the transcript does not show any dissent or abstention.