KJ-AR: Commercial Advertising/Merchandise Sales

Code: KJ-AR
Revised/Reviewed: 1/12/11

Commercial advertising in district schools may be permitted by the superintendent or designee subject to the following.  Schools, with prior approval, may:

1. Publish advertising in any school newspaper, other school periodical, school or district publication, web page or yearbook;
2. Distribute advertising or market research as part of a district-approved curriculum on advertising, marketing or media literacy, etc.;
3. Post signs of school, district or public appreciation for financial or other support from any person, business or corporation for the educational program in any school in the district;
4. Use free educational materials with incidental advertisements;
5. Permit demonstrations of educational materials and equipment;
6. Cooperate with nonprofit community organizations in making or posting announcements or distributing program materials that supplement the school program provided that such cooperation does not interfere with the school program and is consistent with the mission, goals and policies of the district;
7. Utilize films or other educational materials and instructional aids, including newspapers and magazines in either print or electronic form furnished by private sources, when the advertising content is reasonable in the judgment of the superintendent or designee;
8. Permit participation, on a student-option basis, in essay, art, science and similar contests sponsored by outside interests when such activities parallel the curriculum and contribute to the educational program;
9. Release promotional material for nonschool athletic and cultural events through appropriate school departments;
10. Accept limited advertising on extracurricular activity schedules and programs.

Other exceptions may be approved when, in the judgment of the superintendent or designee, students of the district will benefit.

When schools are permitted to participate in commercial ventures as provided by board policy and this administrative regulation, the following restrictions will apply:

1. There may be no obligation on the part of students or staff to sell products, make purchases or distribute information;
2. No student will be expected to go door-to-door in soliciting funds or selling products;
3. The use of any advertising for alcohol or tobacco products in district publications or for any other purpose inconsistent with board policies and administrative regulations is prohibited;
4. If a commission, rebate or other consideration results from the sale of any approved product or service, it will become the property of the district and distributed as directed by the superintendent or designee;
5. Contracts considered for approval are subject to the competitive procurement requirements of board policies DJ - District Purchasing and DJC - Bidding Requirements and the district’s public contracting rules.  Competitive procurement as used in this regulation includes monetary as well as in-kind contributions;
6. Disclaimers will be made that advertisements do not indicate endorsement of a product or service.

No activity which requires staff or students to assist in promoting campaigns (financial, charitable, educational or otherwise) will be permitted without the express permission of the superintendent.   It is not the function of the school to be a collection agency for civic, charitable, commercial or other entity projects.