MORRISVILLE, PA - Led by board member Paul Bunting, the Bucks County School Board voted 7-0 to reject Channel One during its 2000-2001 budget meeting on June 28. A report in the Pennsylvania Courier Times (6-29-00) noted that "residents cheered when the board effectively put out the flames under Channel One." Board members and citizens were opposed to Channel One's "heavily commercialized content."
In a brief interview with Education Reporter, Bunting explained that, although the school district had requested Channel One, the board was "not convinced" that the programming would be implemented in such a way as to "supplement the existing curriculum." He added that parents do not want their children "subjected to commercials for Coke, M&Ms and other products."
Board member Arlene Lipnitz pointed out that even commercial contracts between schools and soft drink companies do not force 80% of students to drink Pepsi, whereas Channel One requires that its daily 12-minute broadcasts, including two minutes of commercials, be viewed by 80% of students in return for free television equipment and satellite dishes.
