Advertising on school buses

The question of advertising on school buses continues to resurface in our community and many others throughout the United States.  In Ohio, the Ohio Administrative Code does not allow school districts to provide ad space on school buses, this falls within the Construction Code Standards for school buses. 

Currently, Senator Joe Schiavone has introduced SB 174 that would allow school districts to adopt a resolution establishing procedures for soliciting bids and awarding contracts for the sale of commercial advertising on school buses. 

Pete Japikse, director of transportation at the Ohio Department of Education said the bill is worrisome because of the possible unintended consequences.  It is the distraction issue that has many school districts and opponents of the bill concerned. 

According to Japikse, advertising on buses is not a huge revenue generator.  In fact, the Columbus transit service just terminated their vehicle advertising program because they found that the vehicle maintenance and repairs resulting from the ads exceeded the revenue generated.

We will be closely monitoring the progress of this bill and the actions of other states as everyone weighs the pros and cons of advertising on school buses.

Graduation Costs

Recently, a community member questioned why the district has graduation off site.  The community member suggested that the district hold the graduation ceremony at Ken Dukes Stadium.  Following is the rational for holding this most meaningful ceremony at the James A. Rhodes (JAR) Arena on the University of Akron's campus.

Ken Dukes Stadium holds 5,000 people; the JAR holds 5500 not including the graduates.  In 2011 the graduating class had 553 students; the graduating class of 2012 will be approximately 598 students.  Each student receives 8 tickets so that siblings and other close family members can attend their graduation ceremony.  The numbers alone do not allow for the use of Ken Dukes Stadium. Further, capacity would need to based solely on the home side, due to the fact that graduates need to face the audience.

The other issue is the weather.  If the weather is inclement immediate action must be taken to move the event indoors.  The high school gymnasium is not an option as the uppper bleachers have seating for 1400 and the lower bleachers cannot be used as that is where the graduates would need to be seated.  To secure an alternative location in the case of inclement weather would cost additional money to reserve the location. 


Following are the costs associated with graduation:

• JAR Rental - $2500
• Police and JAR staff - $1700
• Equipment Rental - $1450

The past few years the JAR has discounted the rate for the school district. The district also holds the ceremony the same day as Brunswick School District to share in some related costs.

The district views graduation as a very important milestone in the life of our students and one that should be honored and enjoyed by family.  It is our goal to maintain this celebratory air of this momentous accomplishment.