Posted: 8/10/05
Signs at FLHS football field say money in FL
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Cliff Buchan
News Editor
If Rob Rapheal had his way, ISD 831 would remain above allowing a ìsea of advertisingî to placard local schools.
But Rapheal had best get used to the idea of commercial advertising signs in Forest Lake Area Schools.
He was the lone no vote in a 6-1 decision by the school board Aug. 4 that will allow signage on the inside fences at the high school football stadium. A banner recognizing the sponsors will be placed in the main gymnasium at Forest Lake High School.
While Rapheal was opposed philosophically to the concept, six members of the school board were in support of the proposal that could net as much as $108,000 for the district over the first two years.
The commercial sponsorship proposal came from Joel Olson, high school activities director, and Jamie Bullock, advisor to DECA, the schoolís association of marketing students. The proposal has been in the works for 18 months.
Olson and Bullock told the school board last Thursday the first effort would be for students to sell signage for the football field this fall.
Clearance from the city of Forest Lake has been obtained for the signage proposal and marketing efforts will now begin, the school board learned last week.
Olson described the first-year effort as ìbaby steps.î
The school board approval came even though the district has no formal board policy governing the use of corporate sponsorships or signage. Some signage has been allowed in the district-owned ice arena by booster groups, but a formal program for other buildings breaks new ground.
That was troubling for Rapheal who said schools as public places should be above direct advertising to students. He said he was less opposed to the use of signs on the football field fences but remained opposed during the vote.
How it works
Under the proposal made last week, two-year contracts for the nine-foot by three-foot signs would be sold by the DECA students as part of their activities within DECA.
Each sponsorship would cost $2400 which includes $1000 a year for two years and a sign cost of $150 to $400 each. A three-year commitment would cost $3400.
Forty-five spots have been determined on fences inside the field, meaning a maximum return to the district of $108,000 if all 47 spots are sold.
The revenue from the signage would be used to fund various improvements for athletic-activity equipment and facilities. DECA would also receive its funding from the proceeds.
A list of potential needs will be determined by the activities director each year and presented to the secondary administrative council for review.
McCall Signs, Forest Lake, has been selected to create the signs.
Approval of sign content will rest with the activities director and the superintendentís cabinet of administrators. The secondary administrative council will review any additional related matters for the program as those items become necessary.
As part of its approval last week, the school board has asked its policy committee to begin drafting a formal policy addressing the corporate sponsorship topic.
Board member Dean Barr asked last week if any consideration has been given for signage at baseball fields.
Olson said no such plans are in the works for The Ballpark at Schumacher Fields at the current time and have not been considered.
Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605