Board certifies healthy-food compliance and approves limited exemptions policy

The Waterford Board of Education considered two nutrition items under new business: an annual healthy-food certification and a policy permitting limited exemptions for certain food and beverage sales.

A board member moved that the board certify compliance with Connecticut nutrition standards (CGS section 10-215f) for July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027, and directed Director Diane Hulahan to submit the ED-999 healthy food certification through the state application system. The motion was seconded and the item was taken to a vote; the transcript recorded some inconsistency in how opposition was noted but the certification moved forward.

Separately, the board approved a motion to allow the sale of food or beverages that do not meet state nutrition standards provided three conditions are met: the sale occurs after the official school day, the sale takes place at the location of the event and items are not sold from vending machines or school stores. The motion’s text referenced Connecticut General Statutes section 10-221Q language as it defined allowable exceptions. Board members described the exemption language as consistent with established statute and policy.

The votes were recorded in the meeting transcript as passing; formal documents and the ED-999 certification submission will complete the administrative steps required by the Connecticut State Department of Education.

What’s next: Director Hulahan will submit the ED-999 certification for 2026–27 as directed; the board’s exemption policy will be included in district policy updates.