Four city high schools could soon be in the advertising business, if the Albuquerque school board decides tonight to allow them to lease out space for electronic billboards. Clear Channel Outdoor Advertising would lease space at Cibola, Del Norte, Eldorado and Manzano high schools for a total of $40,000 a year, and set up billboards on the perimeters of the schoolyards. All four schools are located on busy streets. In addition to advertising, the billboards would feature school messages and announcements. " It's really about building a collaboration, a public-private partnership, " said Clear Channel president Sally Adams. "We can benefit the schools for their messaging opportunities. This gives them the opportunity to highlight teacher successes, student successes, sports scores, registration time, anything that the school needs to get out to their communities. Obviously, it will benefit us to have these great locations for our advertisers." If the board approves there will be some strict guidelines for the advertising. "There are several restrictions," said Armenta. "You won't be able to allow gaming, tobacco, liquor. There's a whole list."
