School Board Policy 905 -
Advertising

I. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for the advertising or promoting of products or services to students and parents in the schools.

II. General Statement of Policy

The school district's policy is that the name, facilities, staff, students, or any part of the school district shall not be used for advertising or promoting the interests of a commercial or nonprofit agency or organization except as set forth below.

III. Advertising Guidelines 

A. School publications, including publications such as programs and calendars, may accept and publish paid advertising provided they receive advance approval from the appropriate administrator. In no instance shall publications accept advertising for alcohol, tobacco, electronic cigarettes, drugs, drug paraphernalia, weapons, or pornographic or illegal materials. Advertisements may be rejected by the school district if determined to be inconsistent with the educational objectiveness of the school district or inappropriate for inclusion in the publication. The faculty advisor is responsible for screening all such advertising for appropriateness, including compliance with the school district policy prohibiting sexual, gender, disability, ethnic, racial, and religious harassment.

B. The district may approve advertising in school district facilities or on school district property. The restrictions listed in Section A above will apply. Specific advertising must be approved by the Superintendent or designee. In no instance will an advertising device be erected or maintained within 100 feet of a school that is visible to and primarily intended to advertise and inform or to attract or which does attract the attention of operators and occupants of motor vehicles.

C. Donations that include or carry advertisements must be approved by the Superintendent or designee.

D. The school district or a school may acknowledge a donation it has received from an organization by displaying a "donated by", "sponsored in part by", or a similar by-line with the organization’s name and/or symbol on the item. Examples include activity programs or yearbooks.

E. Nonprofit entities and organizations may be allowed to use the school district name, students, or facilities for purposes of advertising or promotion if the purpose is determined to be educationally related and prior approval is obtained from the Superintendent or designee. Advertising will be limited to the specific event or purpose approved by the Superintendent or designee.

F. The inclusion of advertisements in school district publications, in school district facilities, or on school district property does not constitute approval and/or endorsement of any product, organization, or activity.

IV. Accounting

Advertising revenues must be accounted for and reported in compliance with UFARS.

Legal References: 
Minn. Stat. § 123B.93 (Advertising on School Buses)
Minn. Stat. § 125B.022 (Contracts for Computers or Related Equipment or Service)
Minn. Stat. § 173.08 (Excluded Road Advertising Devices)

Cross References: 
WBLASB Policy 421 (Gifts to Employees and School Board Members)
WBLASB Policy 702 (Accounting)