By Erica Solvig
The Cincinnati Enquirer

DEERFIELD TWP. - Kings schools are working on a new advertising-in-schools policy, but state officials say other districts with policies similar to Kings' have not had any problems.

Last month, the board of education rescinded the policy, which stated "notices, advertisements or written matter of any nature" could not be distributed in school buildings or on district property without the superintendent's approval.

"If we can't enforce the policy, then why should we have it on the books?" said Superintendent David Query. "We have to rewrite it or revise it to make sure it's something that we can enforce. We have to be consistent in the application of that, because we can't say yes to one and no to another."

The policy was based on a format from the Ohio School Boards Association, which says it has not heard of any other districts deciding to change their advertising policies.

"I would tend to believe this is a local, isolated incident," spokesman Scott Ebright said. "Our whole purpose is to give them sample language and for them to decide what's best for them. ... This is what they found was good for the community."

Kings' policy, in place since November 1998, came under fire when some community members were not allowed to pass out fliers at an October football game. The fliers supported a measure to increase the number of Deerfield Township trustees.

Dorette and Del Landis of Deerfield Township and the Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes (COAST) filed suit in U.S. District Court. A federal judge granted a restraining order, allowing the group to hand out the leaflets.

Northridge Local Schools near Dayton used the same format as Kings, but included additional provisions for political ads and advertising in school publications.

Superintendent Tod Perez said the 1,950-student district has had no challenges to its policy since it was adopted in 1997.

Lebanon has had a similar policy regarding public solicitations on the books since 1996.

Bill Sears, in his fourth year as superintendent, said he has not received any requests to pass out leaflets or similar information on school property, but was not sure if people had been passing out information anyway.

"We believe our policy right now is appropriate," he said. "Until we foresee that there's some kind of problem, we probably won't address it."

October's football game was the first time Kings' policy had been disputed, Mr. Query said. The district is working on a new policy, but Mr. Query was not sure when it would be complete.

E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com