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Specialty License Plates for Schools

By Justin Bathon

So, I was checking out my new hometown newspaper today and I find that an anti-porn group is seeking to have its own license plates. The plate would carry the motto "In God We Trust" and the proceeds from the sale of the plate would go to combat pornography and other vices in the eyes of the Christian group that is promoting it. I am not going to buy it, so I don't really care if this plate is approved or not. It creates some interesting church and state issues, but I am not going to be offended if I see it on the road. In fact Indiana has had one for a while and it never bothered me while I have lived here.

But, if an anti-porn group can raise money through the sale of license plates ... why can't schools? This, to me, seems like a perfect fund raising opportunity. Lots of universities generate revenue through the sale of license plates (see right) and to me this should translate easily into the K-12 level. It might not generate a ton of revenue, but in a large district I could see it funding an extra teacher. People take a lot of pride in their schools. Particularly in their high schools. We should give them an opportunity to show their pride while helping to get the school a little extra funding.

OK, I hear ya. I know there are general K-12 plates already existing where you can specify a school to benefit ... but without the locally specific information (and team logo) people are unlikely to purchase these plates.

Alright, I also hear those of you complaining about the cost. But, the cost should not be that extensive. I just got a new set of Indiana plates in the mail about a month ago and they were basically ... plastic. We are talking very cheaply made. I think there was a little metal in the plate, but I am not sure. Anyway, the point is that it probably cost a dollar or so to make. It is not like we are making license plates the old fashion way with prisoners stamping them out of sheets of steel anymore. Machines are doing this now, meaning that it should be easier than ever to physically make, but also easier and cheaper to make a new design. I am sure it is just a matter of programming a computer. Which bring me to my second point, design costs ... which are basically nil. Just to show you I designed one (below) for the high school district I am probably moving into. Right now in most states there is a signature requirement and a initial startup cost. We would need a legislature to waive or greatly reduce those requirements, but this seems like exactly the kind of legislation that is designed to help schools that local politicians could get behind.

I like this idea ... and I like it a lot. It might not be economically feasible now, but it will be soon. Thoughts?

Full post as published by Edjurist on April 24, 2008 (boomark / email).