Advertisements are everywhere, from bus stops to billboards in Times Square. But when this media enters public schools, there is only the incentive of money with a complete disregard for students’ education. Schools are cash-strapped and especially in New Jersey, need further funding to operate properly. These institutions are now pushing for ad space on lockers, buses and even permission slips. And while the potential for profit is obvious, ads must stay out of schools.

On the way to “American History” or “Algebra,” kids will be engulfed in bright advertisements, which show off better pens or newer notebooks. Lockers plastered with giant ads will in no way benefit them, despite the argument by school officials that money will go straight to the students.

These ads harass students. They are distractions that could potentially bring kids to ask their parents for the newest FIFA video game. Students can’t do much about their exposure to these ads — or less than they could do about turning off the TV or walking away from a billboard. There is simply no escaping these ads within the school. Previously, schools were the last frontier of ad-less space and rightly so. Now with this, the latest tactic in profiting off unsuspecting kids, schools seem to be selling out, and advertisers are once again showing their true colors.

There is also the question of appropriateness. Although parents have a say — or are at least exposed to the ads sent on the backs of permission slips — locker advertisements are uninhibited. In this case, parents do not decide on what their children are exposed to, but the school takes control over the students with little discretion and a much bigger strive to “make ends meet” in the school.

Businesses sense schools’ difficulties and take advantage of that. It is up to schools to reject ads on lockers because this sort of advertising most affects the students. New Jersey, having cut $812 million from its school budget, will probably take up this financial opportunity, and join other states, which have already approved this, including California, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Concerns are reasonable and as more states approve this, an avalanche of others will follow. Schools must be careful, and parents must pay attention to their kids’ schools. It is interesting, where else can businesses find to slap their ads?