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Duluth school board committee advances advertising policy that bans alcohol, tobacco and similar ads
Summary
The Duluth Public School District policy committee presented Policy 905 on Nov. 13 as a first reading to replace earlier ad rules; staff emphasized a prohibition on ads for alcohol, tobacco, drugs, weapons and pornographic material and said screening will be overseen by activity advisers and athletics leadership.
The Duluth Public School District policy committee on Nov. 13 gave a first reading to Policy 905, a consolidated advertising policy that will replace prior policies 1025 and 1030 and set rules for commercial content in district publications and facilities. Communications Director Adele Wellens told the committee the policy "provides guidelines for the advertising or promoting of products or services to students and parents in the schools" and includes legal and cross references.
Why it matters: The proposal seeks to centralize guidance about what commercial material may appear in school-year publications and programs and who reviews that content. That affects where local businesses may advertise and clarifies district standards for student-facing materials.
What staff emphasized: Adele Wellens highlighted the policy’s key restriction, reading the advertising-guidelines paragraph aloud: "in no instance shall publications accept advertising or advertising images for alcohol, tobacco, drugs, drug paraphernalia, weapons, or obscene pornographic material." Committee members said they wanted that language retained.
How ads will be reviewed: Committee members asked who approves ads such as those placed in yearbooks or event programs. Staff said the yearbook adviser is the first reviewer; unclear or questionable items go to the athletics and activities director and, if necessary, to Assistant Superintendent Bonds for final determination. The committee asked staff to ensure activities and program advisers are informed about the new policy once it is approved.
Board guidance and MSBA note: A board member cited a note from the Minnesota School Boards Association model policy included in the board packet that recommends districts "carefully consider whether they wish to allow advertising in school district facilities or publications." Staff noted the district already permits certain advertising (for example, in yearbooks) and had considered that guidance while drafting the policy.
Next step: Chair K. said the policy is on first reading; it will move forward and the committee expects it on the Nov. 18 consent agenda for final action alongside other policy items.
