Southaven, MS—
FAST FACTS:
- Schools facing budget crisis
- Ads seen as moneymaker
- Some restrictions apply
dennis.turner@wreg.com
(Southaven 2/17/2010) With Mississippi facing a serious budget crisis, every part of the state budget has been cut.
That's especially true for education.
But some lawmakers say they've found a way to put some money back into the hands of school districts
The idea is to put advertising in, and on school buses.
How much support does this plan have? Well, Mississippi's House of Representatives voted 94 to 21 to support the idea.
The plan would place advertising inside and outside the school buses our children ride every day, sometimes for hours.
It's very much like the same thing MATA does on public buses in Memphis.
And while the state cuts the money it's giving to schools, some parents say ads might not be such a bad idea. "Well, I think it'd be great if the school could benefit from it," said Debbie Mosier of Senatobia.
Of course there'd be restrictions. Schools couldn't advertise tobacco, junk food, religion or politics.
Supporters say there's already advertising on all kinds of public transportation, so it would be nothing new.
How much could schools make? Representative John Mayo, whose district includes Coahoma, Tunica and part of DeSoto Counties estimates school districts could earn as much as a quarter million dollars from selling ads.
But not everybody wants their kids subjected to advertising without their consent. "I got four boys and they already want everything they see on TV already. But yeah, I don't think that's a good idea," said Rebecca Armata of Southaven.
It's not a sure thing yet. The bill now moves to the Mississippi Senate, which must approve it along with the Governor.
The state's dire budget situation may help the bill's chances, and parents say that's ok, as long as kids are protected from inappropriate ads. "Well, I think they should keep it appropriate as they would anyway. I think it'd be a great idea if they'd just keep it very tasteful and make sure the money ends up in the schools' budget." said Mosier.
If the bill passes, schools could start selling ads on July first. That's the same day DeSoto administrators say they'd have to start laying off employees due to budget cuts.
