By Patrick Tepoorten

In approving the Student and Parent Handbook for 2007-08 at the July 12 meeting of the school board, North Branch school board member Kirby Ekstrom noted concern over cell phone policy.

"The cost of phones and the age of the user continues to go down," he said to Superintendent Deb Henton. "We need to be proactive with that," he added.

Henton, who was attending her first meeting as superintendent, initially pointed out language in the handbook that she felt addressed cell phones, which is contained in Student Discipline, section VI. She did, however, agree to pursue the matter further with the district's administrative team and, if need be, bring a recommendation to the board.

Also discussed was the nutritional value of the district's vending machines. A request to create a uniform proposal for vending machine services led board member Donna Setter to suggest a committee to determine a policy for vending machine nutritional requirements.

She was assured that the proposal would be in keeping with the district's health and wellness policy.

The request to create a vending machine services proposal was approved.

In other district news:

• Bids for fuel, garbage, tennis court and track resurfacing, were awarded to Federated Coop., Terry's Disposal, and McBroom Construction, respectively.

• Membership in Schools for Equity in Education (SEE) was approved at $3,8562, as was membership in the Minnesota School Board Association at $7,139.

• A Truth in Taxation hearing was scheduled for Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. If need be, the meeting will be continued on Dec. 16, at 6:30 p.m.