By AUBRIE GEORGE
Moorestown Township Public School district officials are waiting for more information from the state before deciding whether to take advantage of a new law that allows advertising on school buses.
Earlier this month, Gov. Christie signed legislation that permits advertisements on the exterior of school buses. The legislation, sponsored in part by Assemblyman Scott Rudder and State Sen. Dawn Addiego, allows school boards to enter into contracts for advertising on buses.
Officials said the sale of advertisements on buses is a means for school districts to raise much-needed revenue.
“This legislation is a creative solution that will provide school districts with an opportunity to derive revenues from a new source and help to offset the impact of reduced state aid. It has the potential to be a great revenue raiser that will benefit students as well as help lessen the burden on property taxpayers,” Rudder said in a statement.
Moorestown School Business Administrator Lynn Shugars said the district is well aware of and has read the new legislation, but is waiting before making a decision because the guidance in the law is fairly vague. Shugars said the only stipulation of the law, so far, is where the revenue generated from the sale of advertising has to go.
The law designates that half of the revenue generated from the advertising should help school boards offset fuel costs for student transportation services, while the other half should be used to support any programs or services a school board deems appropriate, according to the press release.
“We need more guidance before we can make a decision,” Shugars said.
She said district officials have discussed the legislation with the board budget and finance committee and the operations and facilities committee to make them aware that the law exists in New Jersey and that more information is forthcoming from the state.
“I think the first step is for the district to decide if they want to do it and then develop a policy that would set the guidelines,” Shugars said.
New Jersey is now the eighth state to allow advertisements on the exterior of school buses. According to the law, messages promoting tobacco, alcohol products or political advocacy are not allowed.
