No pitches yet on Franklin's fields

FRANKLIN

The process to bring banner advertisements to the town's school athletic fields -- which would raise money to help offset rising athletic fees -- has hit some "speed bumps," Superintendent of Schools Wayne Ogden said recently.

First, the district learned it would need to go through the same building and zoning application process as do businesses in town. The ads may also need to be chosen through a competitive bidding process, he said.

"Neither one stops us in our tracks. The bidding one would only make it a little more cumbersome," Ogden said. "The zoning one could make it a little more tricky. If the town decides they don't want advertising in public buildings, they could have that right."

Even so, the district is hoping to launch a pilot advertising program this upcoming spring, Ogden said.

-- Alexandra Perloe