Privatize Education? Keep it Public? Why not both?

In an unprecedented move, New York-based PackJam.com, a web site targeted at the K-12 market, has announced a revolutionary program to establish a middle ground between opposing arguments in the debate over whether American schools should be privatized.

In an unprecedented move, New York-based PackJam.com, a web site targeted at the K-12 market, has announced a revolutionary program to establish a middle ground between opposing arguments in the debate over whether American schools should be privatized.

Really, the challenge weve been facing in American education is that people are wary of private interference with schools, but the fact is that schools and other youth programs need additional revenue streams," says PackJam founder and parent Warren Gebhardt. PackJam.coms solution is to allow under-funded schools and youth programs to get the money they need by partnering with local businesses. By doing so through PackJam.com, theres no loss of control on the institutions part. The feedback has been tremendous."

PackJam.coms unique approach is to allow students, parents, teachers, club members and coaches to sell local sponsorships on the PackJam site developed just for their school. Each school always keeps a minimum 50% of the ad revenue, with those individuals selling the ads earning an additional 6% commission. This state-of-the-art community web site also offers free home pages to the individuals within the school and the ability to post anything from homework, news and events, to opinions, school closings and lunch menus. In fact, each school can even take polls or participate in the schools own chat rooms.

The idea has received extremely favorable response from parents and students who are tired of selling boxes of candy or rolls of wrapping paper with little in return for their efforts.

The business community is rallying behind the idea as well. Brian Manoia, local business owner, likes the idea of being able to get more from his advertising dollars. Brian also says hes been looking for an effective way of promoting his business online, and PackJam.com is the perfect solution.

This really helps me get to know my community and I feel good about helping out the kids," says Manoia. The result appears to be a win-win situation. Schools, clubs and teams get the money they need, and local merchants get a chance to not only advertise to the residents in their area, but get a positive sense that they truly are giving back to their community as well. Businesses can even post help wanted ads right on the site.

Still," says Gebhardt, some schools are cautious about allowing advertising on a school-affiliated web site. What were seeing is an understandable reaction on the part of concerned schools and parents. They should be cautious and, as a parent, I understand their concern. But they should know that their school or organization has full control of the ads that are placed on the site and PackJam never shares any information with anyone. Really, its one of the safest, most responsible sites out there."

Asked why he sold his lucrative Long Island contracting company to create PackJam, Gebhardt replied, I guess I just saw my kids using web sites that did little good. I felt that PackJam could create the place that addressed the real needs of our kids. That and if I have to buy another chocolate bar to get my kids soccer uniforms Ill be sick."

PackJam.com provides the free service to schools and youth organizations nationwide with over 110,000 schools in its growing database. To find out more visit: http://packjam.com.