Seattle Press on Line - Teachers' Union Opposes Ads in Schools

Teachers' Union Opposes Ads in Schools

Nov 30, 2000 -- The Seattle Education Association (SEA) representative assembly voted overwhelmingly November 20 to oppose commercialization in Seattle public schools. The resolution was introduced by Ted Lockery, a teacher at New Options Middle School (NOMS).

"We want to send a very clear message to the School Board," said Lockery, a member of the SEA Board of Directors. "We are saying they need to take a stand and adopt a district-wide policy that tells corporations that their advertising campaigns and marketing strategies are not welcome in our public schools, no matter how desperate schools are for funds."

The SEA resolution asks the school district to prohibit schools from accepting any paid or unpaid advertising. It would also prohibit market research and distribution of promotional items at school, and restrict the use of logos.

This week, the School Board's Policy and Legislative Committee agreed to review the SEA recommendation as well as policies recommended by the Citizens' Campaign for Commercial-Free Schools (CCCS) and from other districts. They are also reviewing current contracts with Channel One, Coca-Cola, and high-tech company N2H2.

The Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) Seattle Council adopted a similar resolution three years ago.

Last year, the school district signed a 5-year exclusive "pouring rights" contract with the Coca-Cola corporation in exchange for a commission on the Coke products sold to kids. In April, the district signed a contract with N2H2 permitting banner ads on all web pages seen by children at school, in exchange for an Internet filtering service. Many secondary schools require all students to watch commercial TV (Channel One) every day in exchange for the use of television equipment.

For more information, contact CCCS at (206) 726-4142, or at www.scn.org/cccs.

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kim	Jun 10, 2003	Renton	student
i go to McKnight Middle Shcool in Renton. In our debate class we are talking about the very same topic, so if u dont mind, would u care to give me some pointers by the way i believe the same resolution u do so plees write back and help me out with my debate. KEEP IN MIND THE QUESTION: WHY SHOULD SCHOOLS NOT HAVE ADVERTISEMENETS? PLEESE HELP!! pleese answer before my debate. it is on June 14th love kim