OASD Board Meeting

Thursday, April 27 2006 @ 12:12 PM MDT
Contributed by: Jim B.
I had a chance to watch my first board meeting last night. Although I try to keep informed, I never actually watched a meeting on cable. I couldn't help but think the mirror image of the OASD board to the Common Council. Different group, but very similar in many aspects. One aspect is the similarity between Mr. Schneider and Mr Esslinger. Although my first impression of Mr. Schneider was that he was far less informed and articulate than Mr Esslinger, I saw similarities. Mr. Schneider plays the same role as Mr. Esslinger.

Here is an example, the board was voting on the wellness program for 2007. Part of this includes the schools with soda machines to eliminate soda next year. Their are oodles and oodles of research out there proving how bad soda is for our kids for a myriad of reasons. This seemed to be lost on Mr. Schneider. He just couldn't grasp the concept and mentioned how student will or are selling soda out of their trunks. He went on to question if this would change the fact that some teachers who use food or sweets as a reward. He couldnt imagine that happening. I naively thought that most educated parents would know how bad it is to use food as a reward for anything.

Then as Merrill School was giving their presentation on their healthy living charter school he questioned the principal why nachos and hot dogs were so bad as that was what he grew up eating, and he turned out alright??? Obviously, anything in moderation is ok, but c'mon. It doesnt take a rocket scientist to know that hot dogs and nachos are not good for you(especially the frequency they are served to our children).

Come to think of it, I wouldn't want to insult Mr. Esslinger with the comparison!!!

Jim B.