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Funding bind keeps revenue options on table
By NATALIE TORENTINOS
Besides raising transportation fees and meal prices, the Pearland Independent School District is finding more creative ways to maintain a balanced budget this year.
Alpha Media, a mobile advertising company, is partnering with PISD to advertise on the exterior of school buses. The company seeks local and national businesses to advertise and gives a percentage of the monthly revenue back to the district.
PISD Spokeswoman Renea Ivy-Sims said the district estimates to bring in at least $250,000 this year, advertising on approximately 145 buses.
Michael Beauchamp, owner and operator of Alpha Media, works with several Houston area districts, including Humble ISD and Dallas schools. He contacted PISD officials in early July to discuss the possibility.
“There’s no risk or effort on their part,” Beauchamp said of participating districts, adding that Texas law provides for three ads on each bus – one 30 by 90 inches, and two measuring 18 by 108 inches.
No tobacco or alcohol products, religious organizations or political campaigns are allowed to advertise, he said, but car dealerships, insurance companies and local restaurants are likely to take part.
Advertisement prices will start at $150 per month, and each bus will rake in $400 in total revenue.
“This is going to reach a huge audience,” he said.
In addition to visual advertisements, PISD trustees decided to install BusRadio, a free, custom-designed radio unit delivering age-appropriate music and carefully-selected sponsorships of which the district receives some revenue.
The units include GPS systems, as well as a panic button to contact authorities in the event of an emergency.
“This is something we’re cautious about,” Ivy-Sims said. “There will be nothing inappropriate or offensive. The board didn’t want anything harmful. It’s all pre-selected music.”
The system has seen success in other districts, she said, and students tend to make less noise on the bus and are better behaved.
Alpha Media, a mobile advertising company, is partnering with PISD to advertise on the exterior of school buses. The company seeks local and national businesses to advertise and gives a percentage of the monthly revenue back to the district.
PISD Spokeswoman Renea Ivy-Sims said the district estimates to bring in at least $250,000 this year, advertising on approximately 145 buses.
Michael Beauchamp, owner and operator of Alpha Media, works with several Houston area districts, including Humble ISD and Dallas schools. He contacted PISD officials in early July to discuss the possibility.
“There’s no risk or effort on their part,” Beauchamp said of participating districts, adding that Texas law provides for three ads on each bus – one 30 by 90 inches, and two measuring 18 by 108 inches.
No tobacco or alcohol products, religious organizations or political campaigns are allowed to advertise, he said, but car dealerships, insurance companies and local restaurants are likely to take part.
Advertisement prices will start at $150 per month, and each bus will rake in $400 in total revenue.
“This is going to reach a huge audience,” he said.
In addition to visual advertisements, PISD trustees decided to install BusRadio, a free, custom-designed radio unit delivering age-appropriate music and carefully-selected sponsorships of which the district receives some revenue.
The units include GPS systems, as well as a panic button to contact authorities in the event of an emergency.
“This is something we’re cautious about,” Ivy-Sims said. “There will be nothing inappropriate or offensive. The board didn’t want anything harmful. It’s all pre-selected music.”
The system has seen success in other districts, she said, and students tend to make less noise on the bus and are better behaved.
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