District 211 approves $227,160 for gym scoreboard software and hardware upgrades after reliability concerns

Township High School District 211 approved an expenditure of up to $227,160 for gymnasium scoreboard equipment and software from NEVCO under the SourceWell cooperative purchasing agreement, following discussion about longstanding reliability issues with the district's gym displays.

Ricky Sparks, director of facilities and purchasing (listed on the agenda), and Chief Operating Officer Lauren Hummel recommended the purchase to update hardware and, principally, software to make scoreboards at both ends of gyms consistent and reliable. Board members and staff described an ongoing problem in which newly installed large digital displays did not reliably synchronize with smaller traditional scoreboards at the opposite end of some gyms; that mismatch has produced inconsistent time and score displays during games.

Board members asked detailed technical and procurement questions. Mr. Dombrowski asked whether installation was included and whether the district could do wiring in house; administrators said the purchase includes installation but the district would receive a $5,000 credit if district staff ran cabling. Board members also sought details on software support and the product life cycle. Administrators said the purchase includes software with ongoing support and that one year's software fee is included; they stated the district hopes for long equipment life and aimed for fall sports readiness, with a 4-to-6-week vendor lead time.

Some board members noted the district spent approximately a quarter-million dollars on new displays three years earlier and pressed administrators why another expenditure was necessary. Administrators said the issue is primarily software compatibility and the proposed NEVCO solution had been reviewed by athletic staff and tested at peer districts that use the same system. The motion passed on a roll call; the item was funded from the 2025-26 operations and maintenance fund.

The board did not amend the purchase at the meeting; questions about warranty duration and detailed software terms were raised and will be followed up by staff.