Marketing, graphic design and digital media students at Naperville North and Naperville Central could be running a real advertising operation on game days.
Naperville School District 203 is moving toward a digital video board sponsorship program projected to generate $165,000 a year for booster clubs at both high schools. The District 203 Board of Education discussed the proposal at its Sept. 8 meeting and is scheduled to vote on it Tuesday, Sept. 22.
The plan, called the Naperville 203 Digital Network, would turn existing stadium, gym and pool video boards into a unified advertising platform. Naperville Central Athletic Director Jeff Plackett told the board the district sees "an opportunity to create the Naperville 203 digital network." The plan would use screens already in place at both schools, plus a proposed new video board in Naperville North's main gym.
NCTV17 first reported on the board discussion.
Four tiers, $165,000 target
According to the district's board memo, the program would offer four sponsorship levels:
- Founding Anchor: $12,500 (4 sponsors, $50,000 projected)
- Gold Partner: $7,500 (8 sponsors, $60,000 projected)
- Silver Partner: $3,500 (10 sponsors, $35,000 projected)
- Local Booster: $1,000 (20 sponsors, $20,000 projected)
All revenue would be split evenly between the Naperville North and Naperville Central booster clubs. Funds would go toward durable items that benefit students across multiple programs, not staff apparel or single-season expenses.
Students would do the work
Naperville North Athletic Director Jon Pereiro said the program is built around student involvement. Marketing students would handle client needs, graphic design students would create the ads and digital media students would operate the boards during games.
The district said the program is modeled in part on its existing INCubator program, a hands-on business and marketing lab. Assistant Superintendent Allison Boutet said the initiative aligns with the district's budget reduction measures.
Vetting and guardrails
Every ad would go through a mandatory four-step review ending with district administration approval. A District Advertising Review Committee would include athletic directors, deans of student activities, the Executive Director of DEIB, the Director of Human Resources, both high school principals and the Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools. Political messaging and advocacy advertising would be prohibited.
All ads would be digital only. No permanent signage or naming rights would be sold. Local Naperville businesses and community partners would get priority. The program is authorized under existing Board Policy 8:25, which permits advertising in schools with prior approval.
Board signals support
Board President Charles Cush, board member Joe Kozminski and board member Kristine Gericke all voiced support at the Sept. 8 meeting. Kozminski praised the vetting safeguards and the student learning component. Gericke called the proposal "just a definition of collaboration."
Superintendent Dan Bridges told the board a similar initiative was introduced the prior year but shelved after board feedback. The revised version incorporated that earlier input, Bridges said.
No additional staffing would be required. The current video board operator at home contests would handle the ad displays.
