When children return to Carter County schools this fall, the buses that carry them to school might also carry an advertisement down the road.
Earlier this year, the Carter County Board of Education approved a contract with District Solutions that will allow the school system to receive revenue in exchange for advertising space on school buses.
On Friday, the first two advertisements were installed on buses — one for Northeast Community Credit Union and one for Subway.
Both companies have purchased multiple ads said Todd Isaacs, CEO of District Solutions. So far, he said, Subway has purchased four signs and Northeast Community Credit Union has purchased five.
The contracts for the ads run on a 10-month basis to coincide with the school year, Isaacs said.
Now that the first ads have been installed, Carter County Schools Transportation Director Wayne Sams said he plans to park the buses in different locations around the county so residents and businesses alike can see the buses and get accustomed to seeing the ads.
When the idea was first being discussed, Sams felt like it might be difficult for some to picture just what the ads would look like on the buses. With the buses where the ads can be seen, Sams hopes it will help the public understand what the school system is doing and also possibly encourage some other local businesses to participate in the program.
“It is pretty exciting,” Sams said of seeing the first ads installed. “I think this is going to be a good thing for the county.”
The advertising will help generate revenue for the school system, which the Board of Education decided should stay within the transportation department to help purchase things like cameras for the school buses or other needed items.
The rate paid to the county varies based on the number of signs a single advertiser purchases, Sams said. If a company purchases one or two signs, the county will receive $100 per month for each sign, he said. If a company purchases three to six signs, the county will receive $60 per month for each sign and will receive $50 per month for each sign if a company purchases seven to 10 signs.
There are 58 buses in the fleet, and each bus can be equipped with up to two advertisements. The county will reserve two of the buses to carry advertisements for school or community programs that will benefit the school children.
That leaves 56 buses for advertising, which creates 112 open spaces for revenue generating ads.
For those worried about what sorts of things will be advertised, Sams said nothing offensive will be allowed.
“Everything has to be child friendly,” he said. “We will have the final say on what is advertised on our buses.”
Under the terms of the contract, the following restrictions were put in place:
• All advertisements are subject to final approval by the Director of Schools and the Supervisor of Transportation
• No sexual, gambling, alcohol, tobacco or political content will be permitted
• The school system will also have the right to reject any other type of advertising that might be deemed inappropriate
• A maximum of two advertisements will be allowed on each school bus. One on the rear passenger side and one of the rear driver side of the bus.
• All advertising shall follow the restrictions set by state law on school bus advertisements.
Those wanting more information about the program or wanting to purchase advertising on the school buses should contact Todd Isaacs, CEO of District Solutions, at 404-983-3001 or by e-mail at todd@schoolbusbanners.com.