§ 16-2-35. The Middletown public schools sponsorship program.
(a) The school committee of the town of Middletown shall be authorized to adopt by resolution
the Middletown public schools sponsorship program (the "program�). The purpose of
said program shall be to provide funding to aid the Middletown school district in
maintaining its current extra-curricular program offerings by creating paid advertising
and sponsorship opportunities through the Middletown public schools.
(b) Such program shall meet the following guidelines and criteria:
(1) Proposals for sponsorships shall be reviewed by the superintendent of schools, and
if approved by the superintendent, such approval shall be submitted to the Middletown
school committee for final approval;
(2) Paid advertising and business sponsorships shall be permitted on school district grounds
only with the prior approval of both the superintendent and the school committee of
the town of Middletown.
(3) The Middletown school committee shall promulgate a policy on advertising and business
sponsorship. Any advertising on school property, in district publications, and distribution
or display that is paid for by a private, business, or commercial sponsor shall be
consistent with the provisions of such policy. In promulgating such policy, the school
district shall be especially cognizant of the requirements of chapter 21 of this title
in regard to health and safety of pupils.
(i) Advertising and business sponsorships shall be limited to products, services, and
issues that support and promote a positive educational atmosphere.
(ii) Approved advertising, signage, and other promotions shall be in good taste, use good
production quality, and shall not detract from the educational environment.
(c) Prohibited advertising and business sponsorships shall include, but not be limited
to, the following:
(1) Anything that is illegal, obscene, profane, vulgar, prurient, defamatory, violent,
abusive, impolite, or that contains sexual content, sexual imagery, or sexual overtones,
or that is otherwise not suitable for minors;
(2) Anything that is discriminatory or promotes goods or services not suitable for use
or consumption by minors;
(3) Materials in support of or promoting a specific religion or religious viewpoint; and
(4) Materials in support of or promoting a specific political candidate or viewpoint.
(d) The provisions of the section shall not apply to information, promotions, or announcements
issued by the town of Middletown and/or the state of Rhode Island.