More than once I've heard calls for the schools to be treated more like a business. If they were, ours might be eligible for a federal bailout, but they aren't.
Schools rely almost exclusively on tax revenue. Most of this comes from local real estate, and in the case of Nazareth, a high percent comes from residents.
Diversifying the revenue received lessens the burden on residents. So while we may not like certain types of business coming in, such as warehouses, they do increase corporate real estate, and theoretically would reduce the burden on residents.
Some schools are going beyond taxes and leveraging the consumer power of students and visibility of school property.
The March 9, 2009 issue of BrandWeek has an article titled, "Cities for Sale", which highlights ways in which municipalities and schools are trying to raise revenue during this recession by selling advertising space.
In the article, "busvertising" was discussed. Essentially a banner advertisement, like one would see on a bus in a city, would cover one side for a fee and an advertisement could be on the back for another fee. A company that provides the service in Texas claims that very quickly a district can get into the millions of dollars.
I'm not sure of that escalation for Nazareth, the article quotes ads at $350, considering two sides and back, $1050 per month, ten months, $10,500, times the number of buses - 30 guestimate $315,000.
The article also mentions renting roof space. Interesting item, and for Nazareth it might be possible as many flights coming into ABE fly over the town and the ads would be visible.
In reality, this is nothing new. Coca-Cola placed Powerade machines in Nazareth several years ago. Funds were often split between the distributor and different school organizations (such as booster clubs). Most of this in school advertising was "sports" related, the gym, football stadium, etc.
I also noticed that Domino's and Papa John Pizza get advertising every month in the school menu. I'm not sure what, if anything they pay, but my children know the brand from the menu.
Maybe this is too far fetched, but then again, coming late to the party could be costly.
What do you think? Should Nazareth start selling advertising space to pay off debt?
Monday, April 06, 2009
Saturday, April 04, 2009
The Road Less (well not) Traveled...Prologis Prkwy
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
And sorry I could not travel both
Well, Robert Frost would have no choice to make regarding his path from Palmer to Lower Nazareth as Lower's officials refuse to open Prologis Parkway.
The Express-Times' Joe Owens not too long ago expressed his displeasure with Lower Nazareth Township for creating a road named Prologis Parkway, installing a stoplight on route 248 to access this Parkway, and then deciding it is not for the public to use (ie it remains finished, but unopened - read my post on that post here).
Fellow placeblogger, Chris Moren of Tatamy, recentlymade a post on the same topic (read it here) and therein indicates that Lower Nazareth officials are holding up the opening of the road as a tactic to force Palmer Township to enter a municipal agreement (the closure connects Palmer residents with Route 33 and the Crossings, thereby impacting them more than Lower residents).
For those who are not familiar with the problem this poses, route 248 from Easton to Nazareth at the stoplight in question begins an uphill climb and reduces from two lanes to one lane over the crest of the hill. A very short distance past the crest is the intersection of Van Buren and 248. For cars attempting to turn onto 248 toward Easton/Route 33, that must cross traffic it is literally Russian Roulette. If a car is coming, it will be at the speed limit or higher, and there may be two if they are battling for position as often happens.
All of this would be avoided by opening the finished and yet closed roadway, Prologis Parkway.
Maybe it is time to read some Thoreau...
And sorry I could not travel both
Well, Robert Frost would have no choice to make regarding his path from Palmer to Lower Nazareth as Lower's officials refuse to open Prologis Parkway.
The Express-Times' Joe Owens not too long ago expressed his displeasure with Lower Nazareth Township for creating a road named Prologis Parkway, installing a stoplight on route 248 to access this Parkway, and then deciding it is not for the public to use (ie it remains finished, but unopened - read my post on that post here).
Fellow placeblogger, Chris Moren of Tatamy, recentlymade a post on the same topic (read it here) and therein indicates that Lower Nazareth officials are holding up the opening of the road as a tactic to force Palmer Township to enter a municipal agreement (the closure connects Palmer residents with Route 33 and the Crossings, thereby impacting them more than Lower residents).
For those who are not familiar with the problem this poses, route 248 from Easton to Nazareth at the stoplight in question begins an uphill climb and reduces from two lanes to one lane over the crest of the hill. A very short distance past the crest is the intersection of Van Buren and 248. For cars attempting to turn onto 248 toward Easton/Route 33, that must cross traffic it is literally Russian Roulette. If a car is coming, it will be at the speed limit or higher, and there may be two if they are battling for position as often happens.
All of this would be avoided by opening the finished and yet closed roadway, Prologis Parkway.
Maybe it is time to read some Thoreau...
Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser - Today!
Have to apologize for not getting this reminder up earlier, but the Easter Bunny fundraiser at Applebee's (previously mentioned here) takes place today (Saturday).
Pancake Breakfast with the Easter Bunny
Saturday, April 4th 8am-11am with the last seating at 10:30am
All proceeds benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
At the Applebee's on Rt. 191 (in front of Home Depot) (3730 Nazareth Pike, Bethlehem)
Adults $5, Children 12 and under are $3 Tickets are available at the door.
Raffle baskets! Lots of goodies to buy! Bring your camera for pictures with the Easter Bunny
Pancake Breakfast with the Easter Bunny
Saturday, April 4th 8am-11am with the last seating at 10:30am
All proceeds benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
At the Applebee's on Rt. 191 (in front of Home Depot) (3730 Nazareth Pike, Bethlehem)
Adults $5, Children 12 and under are $3 Tickets are available at the door.
Raffle baskets! Lots of goodies to buy! Bring your camera for pictures with the Easter Bunny
Friday, April 03, 2009
More NASD Spending Follow-up
Earlier I posted on the spending based on the reports in the newspaper (read the post here), and I questioned why certain elements such as phone, interactive white boards, and internet infrastructure weren't included in the new MS building project.
In the agenda, it turns out the whiteboards had previously been approved on Sept. 14, 2008 at a cost of $221,302.21, but now we are going to pay 19% more from the same company ($263,436).
Not sure if we missed some rooms or upgraded the equipment, but a good example of how project costs always go up.
In the agenda, it turns out the whiteboards had previously been approved on Sept. 14, 2008 at a cost of $221,302.21, but now we are going to pay 19% more from the same company ($263,436).
Not sure if we missed some rooms or upgraded the equipment, but a good example of how project costs always go up.
Teacher Retirements
Also in the minutes was a list of teachers retiring this year. Many of whom I had during my time as a student. Hard to believe in what feels like a short time how many of the teachers I had have now retired.
Many thanks from myself and all the other students you've all impacted through the years, and enjoy a well-deserved break:
Many thanks from myself and all the other students you've all impacted through the years, and enjoy a well-deserved break:
- Darwin Brodt
- Linda Hess
- Debra Gibbs
- Carl Gold
- Daniel Ifkowitz
- Carol Kelchner
- Sebastian Rampulla
- Marie Reichl
- April Zielinski
Security Official Named
Reading through the agenda for the 3/23 Board meeting, I saw that Nazareth has named Dennis Riker, who filled Judy Swigart's position of Asst. Super, the Security Official for the NASD, effective 1/5/09.
Since this isn't a new hire, but apparently an additional job responsibility, I'm guessing it is a mandated position.
If anyone was at the board meeting or a previous one wherein this was discussed, please feel free to comment with additional information or you can email me and I can post it for you (editor@newsovercoffee.com)
Since this isn't a new hire, but apparently an additional job responsibility, I'm guessing it is a mandated position.
If anyone was at the board meeting or a previous one wherein this was discussed, please feel free to comment with additional information or you can email me and I can post it for you (editor@newsovercoffee.com)
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Godspell at Insomniak Theatre
The Morning Call's Go Guide listed that Insomniak Theatre on Main Street will be performing Godspell. Information according to the paper on the show:
Godspell: Musical adaptation of the Gospel according to St. Matthew. 8 p.m. Through Sat. $15; $12, students, seniors on Thursday; $18; $15, students, seniors, Fri., Sat. Insomniak Theatre Company, 60 S. Main St., Nazareth. 610-759-7000.
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