9700.01 - ADVERTISING, COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES, AND SPONSORSHIPS/NAMING RIGHTS

The purpose of this policy is to provide direction for the appropriate and inappropriate use of advertising or promoting of commercial products or services to students and parents in the schools.

"Advertising" comes in many different categories and forums and is defined as a verbal, written or graphic statement made by the producer, manufacturer, or seller of products, equipment, or services which calls for the public's attention to arouse a desire to buy, use or patronize the product, equipment, or services. This includes the visible promotion of product logos for other than identification purposes. Brand names, trademarks, logos or tags for product or service identification purposes are not considered advertising.

The Board may permit advertising in Corporation facilities or on Corporation property in the following categories or forums in accordance with the guidelines set forth herein:

1. Product Sales:
    
   1. product sales benefiting a Corporation, school or student activity (e.g., the sale of beverages or food within schools);
   2. exclusive agreements between the Corporation and businesses that provide the businesses with the exclusive right to sell or promote their products or services in the schools (e.g. contracts with soda companies);
   3. fundraising activities (e.g., short term sales of gift wrap, cookies, candy, etc.) to benefit a specific student population, club or activity where the school receives a share of the profits.
2. Direct Advertising/Appropriation of Space:
    
   1. signage and billboards in schools and school facilities;
   2. corporate logos or brand names on school equipment (e.g., marquees, message boards or scoreboards);
   3. ads, corporate logos, or brand names on book covers, student assignment books, or posters;
   4. ads in school publications (newspapers and yearbooks and event programs);
   5. media-based electronic advertising (e.g., Channel One or Internet or web-based sponsorship);
   6. free samples (e.g., of food or personal hygiene products).
3. Indirect Advertising:
    
   1. corporate-sponsored instructional or educational materials, teacher training, contests, incentives, grants or gifts;
   2. The films or material shall be carefully evaluated by  a building administrator for classroom use to determine whether the films or materials contain undesirable propaganda and are in compliance with the guidelines as set forth above.

It is further the policy of the Board that the Corporation’s name, students, staff members, and Corporation facilities shall not be used for any commercial advertising or otherwise promoting the interests of any commercial, political, nonprofit or other non-school agency or organization, public or private, without the approval of the Board.

Any commercial advertising shall be structured in accordance with the General Advertising Guidelines set forth below.

In addition to this policy, the Superintendent shall prepare administrative guidelines addressing the Criteria for Commercial Messages and the process by which advertising shall be accomplished. (See AG 9700B.)

Sponsorship/Naming Rights

The Board permits sponsorship/naming rights of specific Corporation facilities or property by an individual, company, or community-based organization.

Sponsorship is defined as an agreement between the Corporation and an individual, company, or organization in which the sponsoring entity provides financial or service-in-kind support to the Corporation in exchange for recognition within a Corporation facility.

Naming rights is defined as an agreement between the Corporation and an individual, company, or organization in which in exchange for financial contributions the Corporation allows the name of the donor or donor company/organization to be associated with a specific Corporation property or facility.

Sponsorships/naming rights shall not be inconsistent with the goals and purposes of the Corporation. An agreement shall be prepared which outlines the details of the sponsorship/naming rights including but not limited to the following: the term of the sponsorship/naming right, the signage to be used for the recognition or naming, financial contribution or service-in-kind being supplied to the Corporation. The agreement shall be presented to the Board for approval prior to any action being taken to implement the sponsorship/naming right.

All sponsorships/naming rights shall be in accordance with Policy 9700 and AG 9700B.

Accounting

Advertising and sponsorship/naming rights revenues must be properly reported and accounted for in the Corporation accounts.

© Neola 2015