District 128 considering digital scoreboards

Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128 officials appear receptive to replacing aging scoreboards with upgraded digital versions. But they are seeking more detail before committing to a program estimated to cost about $1.4 million over seven years.

As presented, a digital scoreboards and video enhancement project envisions replacing 12 scoreboards — six each at Libertyville and Vernon Hills high schools — in two phases.

Advertising revenue in what was described as a self-sustaining proposal and a new direction for the district, would help offset costs in each of two models being considered.

“I think from a concept perspective, everyone seems excited right now for this,” school board President Mithilesh Kotwal said during a recent meeting.

However, Kotwal and others agreed there is a need for more information, such as how such programs have worked at other districts, costs to integrate various systems and features into the new equipment and other details.

Dan Stanley, assistant superintendent for finance, presented the concept to the full board for the first time on Aug. 24 to get feedback and a general direction on whether to proceed with next steps.

“We've been trying to figure out what to do with our scoreboards because we have some that are aging,” he explained. “They’re at the time to get replaced, and so the thought is what to replace them with.”

The recommendation is to proceed in two phases with the stadiums, main gyms and pool areas first.

“Those are ones that are going to have high visibility, high usage and really high ability to generate revenue,” he said.

Stanley presented two revenue-sharing agreements with different levels of upfront and annual costs for the district. In both scenarios, based on average annual advertising revenue of $375,000, the district would receive more than $1.3 million over seven years.

“Neither is a bad model. They’re just different,” he explained to the board.

School board member Doug Fleegle said the program could be a mechanism to support the evolution of student athletes.

“I fully support this concept and am intrigued by the possibilities it brings to both high schools,” he said.

However, he said, the district needs to be “equally committed” to investing in all extracurricular activities outside the sports arena, such as theater, the arts and music.

Digital Scoreboards LLC would manage the system and focus on advertising and other aspects, allowing the district to focus on running the athletic programs, Stanley added.

“In concept, I think it’s great because, I’m not going to lie, I go to these high schools, and I see these great scoreboards, and we don’t have that,” said board member Wes Polen.

“So, I’d really like to modernize that for our students if it’s possible,” she added.

mzawislak@dailyherald.com