Parkway Schools Extend Coca-Cola Contract

Parkway School District extended its longterm contract with Coca-Cola Refreshments, Inc. for another year through June 2013.

The Board of Education passed it with general consent items last week.

Officials said the relationship with Coke extends back to at least 1999. More recent studies show a link between obesity and drinking soda.

However, Parkway said only staff and high school students typically have access to vending machines containing soda/diet soda.

The company also provides other beverages. For example, a vending machine in the common area at Parkway Central Middle School is full of Dasani water—and water only. Other vending machines in the same area have typical snack foods and candy.

Apparently the district entered into an estimated $2 million contract paid up front, and then worked its way since then, using up that much product.

The recent extension agreement shows the district getting:

• $48,000 signing bonus/commission 
• donated product worth $9,500 
• $63,000 in rebates 
• $72,500 in "vending commissions" 

for a total of an estimated $193,000 over an 18-month period.

If the district had not extended the relationship, it would owe Coca-Cola the $48,000 bonus/commission, documents showed.

No mention of Pepsi was in the school board meeting.