Local Businesses Turn to NJ Schools to Advertise [AUDIO/POLL]

It's becoming more and more commonplace across the nation as school districts struggle to contain costs. Schools are increasing the volume of advertising in the halls, on the ball fields and even in yearbooks.

"In New Jersey, the idea hasn't taken off the way people originally feared it would," said Mike Yaple of the New Jersey School Boards Association. "Some communities are all for it and they want their school board members to do whatever they can to control costs. Others want nothing to do with it. So, it really depends on where you are and what district you're in."

Still, schools are not being taken over by ads. "You may see a local business advertisement on the scoreboard on the football field and you may even see an ad in a yearbook, but you're not seeing them on vending machines or all over the school buildings themselves at this point," said Yaple.

In fact, just last month, the state came up with ground rules for advertising on school buses. "We did an informal survey a few weeks ago on the school bus advertising issue and about a quarter of school board members said they'll discuss the issue. About an equal amount said they don't want to address the issue at all," said Yaple. "So, again, it's up to the individual districts to decide what they want to do."

When it comes to advertising on school bus, a few things are for sure. The ads may not be about gambling, alcohol or tobacco and they cannot glorify violence.