Peabody Schools To Send Ads Home With Children

Peabody's cash-strapped schools will soon begin selling advertising space on notes, permission slips and other correspondence sent home to parents.

The school committee this week approved a plan to sell 10 business-card sized ads on the back of notices sent home with students as a way to raise up to $24,000 per year.

School Committee member Dave McGeney tells The Salem News the move will let parents know which business support the schools, so they can in turn patronize those businesses.

Officials say nothing inappropriate for children will be advertised.

The district has already tripled bus fees, added fees for nonprofits to use school buildings and cut teaching positions in response to declining state aid.