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BISD OKs ads on buses
Published November 5, 2009
CLUTE — Brazosport ISD trustees voted unanimously to allow advertising to be placed on school buses, with the revenue going to the district’s general fund.
The ads will start showing up on Brazosport ISD school buses in January.
Brazosport ISD is not the first district to allow advertising on buses — Pearland ISD already is leading the way in Brazoria County, Brazosport ISD Deputy Superintendent Dennis McNaughten said.
The move should bring in $30,000 its first year and $60,000 annually by its third year of implementation, Financial Director Dan Schaefer said.
“This is an opportunity many school districts are taking advantage of,” Superintendent Joe Ripple said.
Up to three advertisements will be allowed on the outside of each bus, all near the rear of the bus, said John Craig, Brazosport ISD transportation director.
The state regulates the size of the signs and where they can be placed as well as the content of the advertisements, Ripple said. They prohibit any advertisements for alcohol, tobacco, drugs or anything dangerous.
In addition, the district can be even more strict on what can be allowed on the advertisement, McNaughten said. The board might discuss limiting religious advertisements, he said.
However, each ad will not be discussed on a case-by-case basis and approved, McNaughten said. Typically, advertisements will remain local and be for businesses such as real estate, he said.
“I think this is a great idea,” Board President Jay Luce said.
Some parents agree with the board, but others would prefer the district keep advertising off of the buses.
“If it will lessen my taxes any, I’m all for it,” said Stan Frey Jr., whose granddaughter attends A.P. Beutel Elementary.
Beth Lewis, mother of a 9-year-old Beutel student, also was fine with the district using advertising to make some extra money, she said.
Several parents said the advertisements do need to remain appropriate and supported the state’s content restrictions.
Amanda Woodburn, mother of two Elisabet Ney Elementary students, worried the advertising might cause a distraction to people driving near buses on the road.
Konrad Pierce had different reasons for being worried about allowing advertising on buses. The grandfather of a 6-year-old Beutel Elementary student, he was concerned about the influence the advertisements could have on young children.
“Raising money is a good thing, but I’m not sure I agree,” Pierce said.
Margaret West said children are too vulnerable to see certain advertisements for food, clothes and entertainment.
“Kids get too much advertising already,” West said.
Less than a third of each bus actually will have advertising on it, Schaefer said.
One 30- by 90-inch advertisement will be allowed behind the left rear wheel, he said. An 18- by 108 inch advertisement will be allowed on each side of the bus behind the rear wheel and above the windows, he said.
The district will contract with Alpha Media to do the legwork and seek the advertising, Schaefer said.
“Anything helps,” Schaefer said.
District officials said the decision to sell advertising was made before Tuesday’s vote on a proposed $166 million bond issue and is unrelated to the bond’s failure.
In other business Tuesday, trustees approved giving 834 of their 1,032 votes to the Brazoria County Appraisal District incumbent Patricia Taylor. Appraisal district board members serve two-year terms.
They also approved giving 66 votes to Alvin ISD candidate William Hasse, 67 votes to Columbia-Brazoria ISD and Sweeny ISD candidate Glenn Salyer and 66 votes to Angleton ISD candidate Henry Munson.
Katlynn Lanham covers Brazosport ISD for The Facts. Contact her at 979-237-0150.
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