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Revenue enhancement through a variety of district wide and district approved marketing activities, including but not limited to advertising, corporate sponsorship, signage, etc., is a district-approved venture.  The revenue derived will be used to enhance curricular and extracurricular activities. The district reserves the right to enter into the commercial revenue enhancement ventures of its choosing and to negotiate the terms of such ventures including the content of any advertising appearing on district facilities, in district publications, or otherwise associated with the district.  These opportunities are subject to certain restrictions in keeping with the contemporary standards of good taste.  Such advertising will seek to model and promote positive values for the students of the Manchester School District.  Preferred advertising includes messages that encourage student achievement and the establishment of high standards of personal conduct.

Definitions

Advertising is defined as the payment of money or other economic benefit to a school or to the District in exchange for visual, audio, or video placement of a name, slogan, or product message on a school district property, publication, or broadcast.  The term advertisement does not include traditional fundraising activities such as magazine sales, event programs or outright gifts to which no quid pro quo is attached.

Advertising is also permitted:

• In yearbooks, school newspapers and programs of school-related events.

• In the school store, for the purposes of promoting products sold in the school store.

• In the Food Service Program.

Incidental Advertising is defined as advertising which is embedded in approved classroom materials, equipment such as vending machines and their contents, logos on uniforms and sports equipment and brand information attached to District equipment.

Sponsorship is defined as the payment of money or other economic benefit to a school or to the District in exchange for recognition by a school or the district.

Sponsorships 

Sponsorships may be recognized in yearbooks, school newspapers, and programs of school-related events, as well as verbally by school officials in school announcements.

Advertising

All advertising shall comply with the conditions of this policy and its procedures.

No advertising shall promote the use of tobacco, alcohol, illegal drugs, gambling or weapons; contain vulgar and plainly offensive, obscene, or sexually explicit language; advocate the violation of law or District policy; advance any religious or political organization and/or message; promote, favor or oppose a candidate for elected office or other political issue; be associated with any company or individual whose actions are inconsistent with the District’s mission and goals or community values; or otherwise be in violation of law.

Students may not be required to advertise a product, service, company, or industry.  This prohibition on student advertising includes athletic uniforms and equipment, although uniforms and equipment may display the name or logo of the uniform or equipment manufacturer.

Placement of an advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of an advertiser’s products, programs or services by the Board of Education or Manchester School District.

Incidental Advertising

Students and staff may also be exposed to incidental advertising: 

• In courses of study which have specific lessons related to advertising.  It will be up to each principal to decide whether the lessons related to advertising are appropriate.

• In such supplementary classroom and library materials as newspapers, magazines, television, the Internet, and similar media.

• In the display of product names on vending machines that have been placed in the school for the use of students, staff and the public.

Use of Advertising Revenue

The Superintendent shall recommend to the Board of School Committee, and the Board shall approve how advertising proceeds are expended.  Advertising proceeds may be used to support the cost of maintaining advertising, including but not limited to placing advertisements and installing advertising signage.

Advertising Program Procedures

• Advertising rates will be reviewed and established periodically by the Superintendent of Schools, or designee.

• Discounts or premiums from the published rate may be negotiated by the Superintendent of Schools or designee based on market conditions, multi-year agreements or purchase of multiple advertising locations.

• All terms and conditions in placing an advertisement shall be established in a sponsorship agreement as approved by the Superintendent of Schools, pending approval by the Board of School Committee. On a limited basis the District may accept goods or services from a vendor in lieu of direct cash revenue.  The scope and value of such goods or services shall be outlined in the sponsorship agreement.

Adapted from Nashua, NH, Jeffco, CO and Palmer, MA School District Policies

Revised from 2/10/03 (Community 110-Advertising/Product Sales in the Schools)

First Reading Coordination: 10/10/12

Second Reading and Adoption by BOSC: 11/13/12