After several years of belt tightening, school boards statewide will likely seek creative means to enhance the ‘ever-arid? revenue stream.
One alternative boards are considering are corporate sponsorships with big checks and attractive terms to promote a host of products.
From Nike swooshes on uniforms to pop signs on scoreboards to college clad notebooks, displaying a company name near students will become the new target of marketing professionals.
Goodrich schools got in the act recently by inking a $35,000 Coca-Cola deal with the proceeds used for a new school marquee near Hegel Road. A previous agreement five years ago to carry only Coke products in the school’s carbonated beverage vending machines netted the district more than $20,000. The funds were used to purchase a scoreboard.
Good for the school, good for the company? so what could go wrong with such a marriage?
Opponents are worried that while much needed dollars are gleaned, it will be difficult to draw a reasonable line with regard to suitable sponsors.
For example, what if Hooters offers free chicken wings each Friday in the school cafeteria delivered in company containers? What if a truck company offers free school buses in exchange for a stadium named after the company? What if a flooring company offers free carpet or tiles school wide if their logo is under students feet everyday?
While school boards should be commended for their resourceful means of revenue generation, they should be remained that the well being and education of each student is their first concern. New scoreboards or uniforms or notebooks are attractive, but students are not billboards, rather impressionable children subject to a plethora of marketing vultures.