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Deerfield proposal requests $25,000 district capital plus booster and camp funds for gym video and sound upgrade
Summary
Deerfield High School athletic director and boosters presented a $167,619 proposal to install an LED video board, improved sound system and shot clocks in the Warrior Gym; boosters and future reimbursement will cover most of the cost but the district was asked to fund a $25,000 sound-system capital item now and be reimbursed later.
Deerfield High School athletic officials and the DHS booster club asked the District 113 board April 22 to approve a capital contribution of $25,000 for a gym sound-system upgrade as part of a larger $167,619 proposal to install an LED video board, new sound system, shot clocks and updated scorer tables in the Warrior Gym.
Athletic director Nate Flannery and booster-club president Larry Letwat presented the proposal and described the planned equipment: a high-resolution LED video display (3.9 mm pixel pitch), a professional sound system to address current acoustic problems in the gym, new shot clocks (an IHSA requirement by the 2026–27 basketball season), end-of-period lighting and updated scorer tables with digital displays. Presenters said the equipment would support athletics, large school events, robotics and student media (Deerfield Sports Information team) and could display advertising and highlight content.
The proposal showed a total project cost of $167,619; boosters committed $71,000 and the district’s anticipated reimbursement for a large portion of the project is $142,619 by 2026. Deerfield staff asked the district to fund the $25,000 sound-system component from the capital budget; athletic department summer-camp revenue ($58,000 shown in packet) and booster funds would cover other portions. Presenters described the summer-camp revenue as “found money” resulting from larger-than-expected participation and noted prior transfers had funded other athletics facility improvements.
Board members asked about lifecycle and maintenance costs. Presenters said LED life is typically rated for about 100,000 hours (commonly about 10 years), the board package includes a five-year manufacturer warranty and the sound-system workmanship warranty is three years; software licensing was identified as the primary ongoing cost. Presenters said there had been no material maintenance expense to date for the stadium board and that software costs would be the main recurring expense for the gym board.
Administration said the district will not re-price existing multi-year advertising agreements currently held by boosters; the boosters handle sales and the district signs off on contracts. The board indicated it will consider the proposal in a future meeting; the item is scheduled to return for action on May 13, 2025.
