JACKSON TWP — The Seneca Valley School District officials are implementing a new sponsorship program in hopes of raising money for athletics.

The school board at its meeting Monday night said it could vote to approve the new Raider Athletics Partnerships program at its meeting next Tuesday.

The new program sets rates for one-, two-, three- and four-year agreements for businesses interested in advertising on a scoreboard or with a banner.

The district is offering advertising on the scoreboards at its baseball, softball and soccer/lacrosse fields and banner advertisements on fencing at its athletic stadium, tennis courts and baseball, softball, soccer/lacrosse fields.

The district also is seeking sponsors for Raider Athlete of the Month and Raider Scholar Athletes programs.

Athletic director Heather Lewis told the school board Tuesday that there are a lot of businesses that want to support the district’s athletic programs.

“In my four years here I’ve taken a number of inquiries from local businesses and corporations about the opportunity for sponsorship, signage and venue advertising,” she said.

Lewis said the practice of doing sponsorships in school districts is becoming more popular and the administration looked at similarly-sized districts when developing their policy for Seneca.

The school board has a policy that allows advertising, but states that messages or images used in advertisements must be consistent with the district’s mission and values, solicitor Matt Hoffman said.

School Board Vice President Jim Nickel said that it is important for the district to bring in money from sources other than taxes.

“I absolutely applaud when we look for creative ways to find revenue for the district,” he said.

The proceeds from the sponsorship go back into the athletics programs by supporting facility enhancements, coaches’ professional development, equipment, uniforms and postseason travel.

Earlier this year the district reached a 10-year, $100,000 agreement with NexTier bank to renew naming rights for the athletic stadium.