Riding Home in an Advertisement with Wheels

The tough economy is causing people to do things they normally wouldn't. Just ask the governor of Illinois, who tried to sell a Senate seat for economic gain, or the Big Three auto companies, which are begging for money just to make it to New Year's. Even school districts and educators are thinking about unusual ways to make cash.

Since January, three bills have been presented in New Jersey asking that advertising be allowed on school buses to help raise funds for struggling school districts. Although the ads may help the schools financially, some are concerned that they may be a distraction to drivers, raising safety issues.

In California, high school teacher Tom Farber began selling ad space on his exams to cover the costs of printing them after the school's budget was cut. Farber says the ads will not become permanent, but he is allowing them for now to deal with the economic realities affecting his school.

Do you think advertising in buses and on exams is an appropriate way to deal with the economic situations in many schools?