Soda machines make no sense in Howell elementary schools

What is the Howell Board of Education thinking? Soda machines for 5- to 12-year-olds? Do we really need the Coca-Cola Company to subsidize athletic scoreboards? I’m not sure why our tax dollars can’t cover the expense for a few scoreboards at our local schools. In particular, the new schools that are being constructed.

Are we to believe that a multi-million dollar school is being built and $5,000 was not budgeted for a scoreboard? Did the board miss the news reports from around the country describing similar deals with soft drink companies that led to public outcry?

Kids loaded up on soda every day become fat and fidgety, thus creating one more challenge for our teachers. Our schools are supposed to be looking out for our kids’ best interest. What happened to the practice of teaching good nutrition?

The last time I checked, soda was not included on the "food pyramid." Aside from the 39 grams of sugar contained in a 12-ounce can of Coke, the "other choices" offer almost as much sugar. Dasani water, of course, has no sugar, but I guess it will be all right to charge a small child $1 for a bottle of water. There are many parents that carefully monitor their child’s intake of overly sugared soft drinks like Coke.

Should the Howell Board of Education "go for it," they will be working against the wishes and good nutrition practices of many parents. Can’t we just stick with milk, orange juice and water, and find another way to pay for these vitally important scoreboards? If this corporate deal is made, I’m sure the fast food providers will be close behind. I just hope the board budgeted for toilets at the new schools so we don’t have to cut deals for toilet paper, too.

This score just in ... Howell Board of Education, 1, Howell Children, 0.

Phil Cooney

Howell