By Kari Lucin, staff writer

No Albert Lea School District student will be able to purchase pop from vending machines anymore, according to a new vending machine policy the school board might pass June 5.

Staff members will still be able to purchase pop from machines available specifically for their use.

Elementary students will have no access to any vending machines, and middle-schoolers will have access to vending machines only after the school day is over.

In the high school, the district will closely examine the location and number of machines, adjusting them &8220;to best fit the needs of the district as well as product availability for students.&8221;

Schools will also not allow beverages or other products to be sold from school buildings during the school day, but exceptions may be made for products meeting the food and nutrition guidelines of the district wellness policy.

The wellness policy, mandated by state and federal statute, was unanimously approved by the Albert Lea School Board, and will take effect next year. Before the policy was written health teachers and food service workers attended workshops on the subject, while the district got feedback from students, parents and staff about the policy.

&8220;We’re trying to encourage everybody to consume products that are as healthy as possible,&8221; said Director of Curriculum Judy Knudtson.

Other schools such as Mankato and Rochester developed similar policies in response to new government requirements.

In other news, the school board:

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Authorized $46,398 for a pool blanket and automatic reel system for the Albert Lea High School pool. Alta Enterprises

Inc. of Wyoming will install the equipment in 45 to 60 days, with funding for the project coming from the construction fund. It is estimated that utility savings will pay back the initial cost in 2 1/2 years.

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Accepted the resignation of Director of Finance and Operations Mark Stotts, who will become business manager of the Burnsville School District. His last day in the office will be June 23.

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Approved an increase in Job Opportunity Building Zone space for Bridon Cordage, initially allocated 15,000 square feet of land, bringing up the total amount allocated to 30,000 square feet &045; plenty of room for future expansion.

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Set the district improvement goals for the 2006-2007 school year: &8220;All students will increase their academic achievement in reading and math as measured by the percentages of proficiency on the state-required tests, the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments-II, so that the district and each building (and each subgroup as a district and within each building) &8220;makes Adequate Yearly Progress.&8221;