In 2004, a federal mandate forced school districts that take part in federally funded school meal programs to form wellness committees made up of a variety of volunteers including parents, students, food service workers, school board members, administrators and private citizens.

Thus the Simi Valley Unified School District's Wellness Committee was born.

In addition to the responsibility of formulating a comprehensive district wellness policy, the committee was intended to provide helpful insight from several different, independent sources on decisions affecting student health, safety, nutrition and physical activity.

So we have to wonder why the school board would renew its vending machine contract with Coca-Cola Enterprises-a product and a decision that undoubtedly impacts student nutrition-without first consulting this committee.

The first defense offered by the board-that approval from Kathy Santiago, the district's head of food services and a wellness committee member, was sufficient-simply doesn't cut it.

While Santiago is definitely qualified to judge whether or not an arrangement is good for the health of Simi Valley students, she is also an employee of the district, which means she lacks the kind of objectivity and fresh insight that wellness committees were meant to supply.

The district's other two arguments-that waiting for the wellness committee to review the contract would take too long, and that state mandates would take care of things-also fail to satisfy.

The point is, the district formed the wellness committee for a reason, so why not take advantage when the opportunity clearly presents itself?

Instead the school board has once again painted itself as exclusive and unwilling to accept the input of outsiders.

Not only that, but the members have left those who were willing to donate their time and energy as wellness committee volunteers feeling underappreciated and unimportant.

Maybe next time the district calls on volunteers for help, it will find out they're all out to a healthy lunch.

See related story on page 23.