The amount of revenue that some of the largest school districts get from selling advertising space on school lockers, lunch trays, buses, and other areas is minimal compared with the budget gaps they are trying to close and the potential conflicts that could arise, according to a new report.
Public Citizen, a nonpartisan, nonprofit consumer-advocacy organization based in Washington, surveyed the nation’s 25 largest school districts, finding only 10 that either maintain in-school advertising programs or are considering one. Of those that agreed to disclose information on their commercial advertising, the revenue gained fell below 0.1 percent of districts’ overall budgets, the report said. For instance, Florida’s Orange County public schools raised $500,000 in advertising over two years just .02 percent of its total budget.
