KHB: ADVERTISING IN THE SCHOOLS
The School Committee believes that, in general, product advertising and/or endorsement is to be discouraged in the schools. The School Committee has an obligation to assure that students, who are required by law to attend, are not subjected to commercial messages of any kind without careful analysis of the benefits and risks that pertain in each instance. Since the issue of advertising in the schools can be attended by strong opinions, the School Committee may seek comments and recommendations from the administration, the professional teaching staff, and the community prior to considering any form of advertising in schools, on school grounds, or on school buses.
The School Committee is opposed in principle to accepting any programming, equipment, or services that are offered only on the basis of mandatory exposure of students to product advertising. The School Committee recognizes, however, that in some instances product names, logos, or advertising may be acceptable when the programming, equipment or services can be clearly shown to be of significant benefit to the school program.
The School Committee reserves the right to consider requests for advertising in the schools, on school grounds or on school buses on a case-by-case basis, except that:
A. Brand-specific advertising of food or beverages is prohibited in school buildings and on school grounds except for those meeting the standards for sale or distribution on school grounds in accordance with 20-A MRSA § 6662(2), i.e., those that meet Smart Snacks standards). For the purpose of this paragraph, “advertising” does not include advertising on broadcast media or in print media such as newspapers and magazines, clothing with brand images worn on school grounds, or advertising on product packaging.
B. Consistent with its efforts to promote a tobacco, alcohol, vape, and drug-free environment, the School Committee will prohibit advertising in school buildings, on school grounds, or on school buses for tobacco products (including “vaping” devices and products), alcoholic beverages, drugs (including prescription and over-the-counter medications), performance enhancing substances, or dietary supplements.
C. Schools may accept advertising to defray the cost of producing programs for athletic and extracurricular events, student yearbooks, student newspapers, and literacy magazines, as long as it is consistent with subparagraphs A and B above.
Adopted: July 5, 1994
Revised: September 2, 1997; July 17, 2001, September 17, 2013; August 20, 2019; February 4, 2025
Legal Reference:
20-A M.R.S.A. § 6662; Me. Dept. of Ed Rule Ch. 51
Cross Reference:
EFE: Competitive Food Sales-Sales of Foods in Competition with the School Food Services Program