Buy This, No, Buy That
A recent article in Time caught my attention: a discussion by many school systems to sell ad space within their building. This brings up a very controversial topic. Today, I’m going to add my own two cents. Stay with me, this might begin rambling…
For
As documented everywhere, systems are losing money. States and local entities are cutting school funding across the country. But school attendance is not decreasing. So where do schools turn to make up the money. One option is fundraising (the word that all parents dread; a discussion is forthcoming on the topic). Another option is ad space. Schools are full of blank space just waiting to be filled with advertisements for the next new pen design. Why not use the space for something that going to make the school some money? According to the article, a system in St. Francis, Minnesota recently committed 10-15% of the lockers to ad space, making up part of the budget deficit. The logic is “plant an ad, save an art class.” I get the idea. As to the arguments about students being bombarded with ads all day long, who are we kidding? Children are exposed to ads everywhere they go. We need to teach students to be discerning viewers when it comes to ads, no matter where they see it. Selling ad space can be a way for systems to deal with the future budget shortfalls.
Against
What type of ads do we allow? I realize that there is a difference between advertising for a office supplies and the latest video games. There is a question of appropriateness in the products placed. The article did mention a San Diego district refusing space to a for-profit college citing a bad message about debt to the students. There needs to be a process by which the school board and principle evaluates the potential ads. That then brings up the next question: Where do we draw the line? Once we put an ad on the lockers, do we then open up the desks, the walls of the gym, the school supplied folders or planners, etc. Where do we stop? It might just be a slippery slope to covering everything. Finally there is the ultimate question: What does selling ad accomplish in the long run? The answer is unknown. Selling space is a band-aid to the ultimate problem of budgets and decreasing funds. We need to address school funding; look back at the basic structures. Where does the money come from? Where should it come from? How do we provide extraordinary schooling for all students in the future?
Ads may be the temporary solution for cash-strapped systems, but let’s hope it isn’t the permanent solution.
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