IRVINE

Irvine Unified School District officials are hoping Coke or Pepsi will do what taxpayers would not.

Trustees unanimously gave tentative approval to a new policy allowing them to sign exclusive contracts with soda companies at their meeting last week.

Although some trustees said they were reluctant to encourage soda consumption, the move could earn the district several million dollars over a period of years, an income it was denied this month when voters defeated a $95 parcel tax measure.

“We believe there is an opportunity here,” said Don Chadd, the district’s director of business services.

State legislation that took effect in September allows district administrators to enter into exclusive contracts for beverage sales as long as they hold public hearings and follow the public bidding process. Districts statewide are signing contracts with companies such as Coke or Pepsi, the two largest competitors.