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Quakertown committee approves forwarding digital-scoreboard plan that relies on sponsor revenue and student programming
Summary
The Facilities Committee voted to forward a proposal for new digital gym scoreboards and a sponsorship-driven funding model that presenters said would leave the district without financial liability and create student learning and paid-work opportunities.
Quakertown Community School District officials on May 8 agreed to send a proposal to the full board to replace gym scoreboards with fully digital displays paid for through a sponsorship program, presenters said.
The proposal combines hardware, software, installation, a multi-year warranty and a sponsorship model run by Scoreboard Media that presenters said would keep the district “not on the hook for anything.” Charlie Meagan, a representative of Scoreboard Media, told the Facilities Committee the company buys the hardware and underwrites the project using local sponsorship revenue and that the district would receive an ongoing revenue share.
Why it matters: Committee members framed the project as a way to modernize athletic and community facilities without using district tax dollars while also creating classroom and co-curricular learning opportunities. Presenters said the displays could be used for athletics, assemblies, student-created content and non-sport events, and could produce revenue quickly if local businesses buy sponsorships.
Details and what was discussed: Chris Kern, owner and CEO of Digital Scoreboards, described the product and installation scope as “the hardware, the software, the installation, the warranty, the service” and said the proposed gym boards would be larger than the existing fixed-digit scoreboards. Presenters described the district’s current gym scoreboards as 5 feet tall by 12 feet wide and the proposed replacements as approximately 7 feet tall by 17 feet wide to fit the available wall space and balance sightlines.
Scoreboard Media’s program is built around local sponsorships. Meagan said the company typically works with small, local advertisers and that average sponsorship sizes range from about $2,500 to $4,000 per year, with lower-cost “banner” options available so small businesses can participate. Meagan said the company maintains content controls and contract provisions that exclude categories such as alcohol, tobacco, vaping, firearms, gambling and adult entertainment and that the district retains an “ultimate veto” over any content that appears on the boards.
Presenters discussed installation costs and district exposure. Digital Scoreboards said it will cover LED control systems, freight, standard installation and a credit toward the district’s install costs. Presenters said the district would need to provide power and network (Cat‑6 cabling) to each display and that there could be a modest difference in installation depending on the gym’s vertical supports; the firm said it typically provides a credit toward installation and covers a large portion of install expense.
Educational and operational uses: Bob (presenter on behalf of the vendor partnership) described “DS Academy,” a curriculum and training package meant to develop student skills in video production, graphics and game operations; he said it includes lesson units and on-site training and that the district already has a high school teacher, Lincoln Carr, with students experienced running the multipurpose-field board. Committee members and presenters discussed the possibility of hiring students to operate boards for events; Dr. Friedman confirmed the district’s solicitor had advised that the district may hire students for such work.
Warranty and maintenance: Presenters said the standard equipment warranty covers parts (seven years) and labor (five years) and that typical failure rates are low; vendors said spare modules are commonly kept on hand to repair modules hit or damaged in a gym.
Next steps: The Facilities Committee voted to forward the scoreboard proposal to the full school board for consideration. Presenters said final sizing, a rendering specific to the gym, a detailed installation estimate and contract language regarding content restrictions and revenue sharing would be developed for the board packet.
Ending: Committee members said they wanted the full board to review the vendor renderings, the revenue-share agreement and the installation budget before any final commitment.
