The Los Angeles Unified School Board voted unanimously Tuesday night to "authorize Superintendent Ramon C. Cortines to enter into corporate sponsorships of up to $500,000 to generate revenues for cash-starved programs such as athletics, arts and music," according to a spokeswoman.
The school district has suffered through years of budget shortfalls and hopes tonight's move will generate money for cash-starved programs.
Superintendent Cortines called the vote a "new and creative approach in raising revenue for the general fund."
"Safeguards in the new policy include a requirement that the board would approve the sponsorships, and a ban on support from alcohol and tobacco companies, fast food firms, high calorie products and high sugar foods. Also, sponsors would not be allowed to handpick schools, such as campuses in more affluent areas of the LAUSD, while shunning those in less affluent areas," the spokeswoman said.
