Policy 1112-1

Community Engagement

Advertising

Reviewed and affirmed by the Board: 
Last Revision: 
Original publish date: 07/07/2014
Related policies & regulations:  
Legal references:  Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-5716 to 5734 (Nebraska Clean Air Act)

  

The following administrative procedures have been established for carrying out the Lincoln Board of Education’s policy on advertising in the schools:

1. The Board designates the Superintendent, designee and/or the Director of Communications as responsible for administering this regulation and seeking Board approval when appropriate.
2. Instructional materials which contain or display mention of the sponsoring or producing firm and/or the symbol or “logo” of that firm along with reasonable underwriting language may be approved by the Board or the Associate Superintendent for Teaching and Learning or a designee.
3. Informational materials from community agencies, organizations or firms containing or displaying mention of the sponsoring or producing firm and/or the symbol or “logo” of that firm along with reasonable underwriting language may be approved for distribution by the Board or its designee.
4. When materials intended for use by or distribution to students contains advertising or promotional messages beyond the name of the producing or sponsoring firm or the “logo” of such firm and/or underwriting language, that material must be submitted to and approved by the Board or its designee. Lincoln Public Schools is the sole determiner of whether language and messaging fits within these underwriting regulations.  Underwriting language used in Lincoln Public Schools electronic or print media, including but not limited to, audio, video and web publications will adhere to the following general guidelines:

• Underwriting messages may include the name and logo of the commercial entity proceeded or followed by a brief phrase similar to “… has provide the support for this school project” or “Support for this school project comes from …”
• Underwriting messages may identify the company or organization through use of the following:
• Established slogans that identify but do not promote services
• Contact information
• Value-neutral description of the commercial entity
• Identifying tradename, products or services
• Underwriting messages may not include the following or any other similar messaging:
• Superlatives (“X company is best, biggest, newest”)
• Calls to action (direct or implied)
• Inducements to buy, rent or lease
• Qualitative or comparative language (“Our service is faster than …”)
• Underwriting language must fit the space, time and scope that is agreed upon as part of the partnership with Lincoln Public Schools.

5. Advertising or promotional materials in or on District facilities or grounds shall be limited to public performance facilities, non-instructional print material and the District’s electronic media (website), which permitted activity shall be defined, regulated and approved by the Board or its designee.

• Because instruction is the primary purpose of schools, and recognizing that students are required to be in attendance in classrooms during regular school hours, no advertising or promotional materials shall be allowed in classrooms except as may be permitted herein.The advertising locations are hereby designated as non-public forums, which are being opened for a limited purpose.  The purposes are limited to those authorized by the Board, which include advertising goods and services consistent with the District’s educational mission and school purposes.  The Board shall be the sole and final decision maker on such permitted and non-permitted activity, and the specific terms and conditions upon which permitted activity may occur.

6. Non-permitted advertising or activity would be anything of a nature or intent that is obscene, profane, vulgar, prurient, defamatory, abusive, impolite, controversial or which contains sexual content or sexual overtones or is otherwise not suitable for children or which is discriminatory, or which promotes services not suitable for minors, or other messages which are otherwise not legally permissible or of poor production quality, as such shall be determined within the sole discretion of the Board or its designee.  The types of goods and services, which are generally considered non-permissible for advertisement, and for which the non-public forums are not opened for limited and controlled advertising purposes, include, without limitation, the following:

• Tobacco (Tobacco means any tobacco product (including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco), vapor products (such as e-cigarettes), alternative nicotine products, tobacco product lookalikes and products intended to replicate tobacco products either by appearance or effect)
• Liquor and other alcoholic beverages and products
• Firearms and all other forms of weaponry
• Condoms, prophylactics and other birth control devices, products and programs
• Pornographic and other adult publications
• Pornographic and other adult video, audio and computer content
• Illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia
• Since permitted advertising is limited to goods and services, it is not intended to open the District or its facilities or grounds to advertising outside the scope of goods and services, such as political advertising or advertisements promoting particular personal or religious beliefs, or to controversial topics or positions.

7. Food and beverage marketing is defined as advertising and other promotions in schools.  This term includes, but is not limited to the following:

• Brand names, trademarks, logos or tags, except when placed on a physically present food or beverage product or its container.
• Displays, such as on vending machine exteriors.
• Corporate brand, logo, name or trademark on school equipment, such as marquees, message boards, scoreboards or backboards (Note: immediate replacement of these items are not required; however, districts will replace or update scoreboards or other durable equipment when existing contracts are up for renewal or to the extent that it is financially possible over time so that items are in compliance with the marketing policy.)
• Corporate brand, logo, name or trademark on cups used for beverage dispensing, menu boards, coolers, trash cans and other food service equipment; as well as on posters, book covers, pupil assignment books or school supplies displayed, distributed, offered or sold by the District.
• Advertisements in school publications or school mailings.
• Free product samples, taste tests or coupons of a product, or free samples displaying advertising of a product.