Bethel Park School District may allow ads on website
Bethel Park School District officials are contemplating joining a growing number of school districts that allow businesses to advertise on their district websites.
School board members are expected to approve a proposal from EDGEclick Network at a meeting scheduled for Sept. 23.
According to the company website, EDGEclick already has contracts with more than two dozen districts throughout the state. Ads generally run as banners or side bars on the districts’ homepages.
Vicki Flotta, district director of public relations, said the company will provide and place the advertisements on the website. The district will be paid an amount based upon the number of views the ads receive. That could be between $15,000 to $20,000 a year.
The profits would go towards the district’s communications budget for items such as printing and paper.
“I don’t want any cheesy banners or sides,” said board member Dr. Tim Campbell.
Flotta assured board members that the ads are generally for nationally-known companies, such as Geico Insurance. The district would have the right to approve or reject any ad, she said.
EDGEclick’s website promotes its services to businesses by assuring potential customers that the target audience will be the parents of school-age children and therefore likely consumers of the products and services they are selling.