June 6th, 2011
As funds shrink, advertising on school buses could be an option
Aurburnpub.com
Slapping advertisements on the traditional yellow school bus may seem like a strange idea, but legislation to allow ads on buses is currently in both the state Assembly and the Senate.
The New York Association for Pupil Transportation, a professional association comprising 500 members who work in various aspects of student transportation, is strongly against the idea of doing away with the familiar yellow school bus. Peter Mannella, executive director of the NYAPT, said ads on a bus could distract drivers, who already get distracted by other things when driving that cause them to pass stopped school buses illegally.
NYAPT also believes children could be distracted by colorful ads or characters on a bus and get injured boarding or exiting.
“The school bus is known by all Americans in its National School Bus Chrome, or yellow, coloring,” Mannella wrote in a press release. “That color was specifically selected for its uniqueness as well as for its visibility. To compromise the integrity and familiarity of that iconic color is simply wrong and presents safety risks to our children.”
Although selling ad space could create revenue, Moravia Central School District Superintendent Michelle Brantner said students in her district are her No. 1 responsibility.
“I think it’s crazy,” she said. “If I were a business person ... well it’s part of what I have to do, but my main business is kids.”
Although Brantner said she’s unaware of how much revenue ad space would bring in, she believes the job of coordinating ad sales would almost require the creation of another position in the district. She and business administrator Jeffrey Carmichael already have their hands full with many responsibilities, she said.
“How many more jobs should we take on?” she said. “What’s the cost, even in time and energy?”
Port Byron Central School District Superintendent Neil O’Brien said he is neither in favor nor against the legislation that would allow the ads, but added that school districts are becoming more regulated and are receiving less state aid, so something’s got to give.
“The state has emasculated poor districts by cutting school aid by over $1 billion and soon will do away with majority rules on voting for school boards,” O’Brien said in an email. “It seems with the state cutting support for schools while maintaining all expensive mandates that alternative sources of support should be explored.”
Mannella said only tobacco, alcohol and political campaign ads would be prohibited from buses under the legislation. All other variables, such as the size of the ad, where it’s placed and how long it stays up would be determined by school boards.
“It’s very discretionary for the boards,” he said.
Mannella said the NYAPT understands the revenue school districts could make from selling advertising and said he realizes New York state schools are pinched for funding. Nonetheless, he believes the safety risk to children outweighs the need for revenue.
Some states have passed laws allowing ads, such as Texas, New Jersey and Colorado, Mannella said, but little research has been done to see if more accidents near buses have resulted from advertising.
Mannella said he’s not sure bus ads in rural areas would bring in much money, as a route through desolate crop fields or dairy farms wouldn’t get good exposure.
“I’m not sure people are going to pay a lot for advertising on those buses,” he said. “We’re making it sound as if it’s going to save everything (financially). I’m not sure it will.”
The state Legislature is expected to break for summer recess on June 20. Rather than rushing the bus legislation through, Mannella would prefer it wait until the Legislature is back in session in the fall.
“Let’s make a decision with our eyes wide open,” he said. “We want to stop (the legislation). Let’s look at it over the summer.”
Read more: http://auburnpub.com/news/local/article_f0774964-8f23-11e0-92a5-001cc4c03286.html