Board pauses scoreboard‑advertising contract, seeks termination metric or shorter term

Board members discussed a proposed five‑year scoreboard‑advertising contract and asked staff to seek an exit provision tied to measurable revenue benchmarks or to return with a shorter term if no termination clause is acceptable.

Trustee Don Renner (first name shown as Don in the transcript) and several board members said the contract, as drafted, lacked a termination right other than breach and could lock the district into a five‑year relationship if the vendor failed to sell advertising. One board member said, “I don't want to be locked in for 5 years, that's all I'm saying,” and multiple members urged staff to negotiate an exit strategy.

Staff noted the vendor estimated year‑one revenue in the $50,000–$75,000 range and described a potential compromise: a ramp‑up period (12 months) followed by a termination right if the vendor fails to meet a specified percentage of projected revenue (for example, 75 percent). Another option discussed was shortening the term (for example, to two years) if the vendor would not accept a termination metric.

The board directed Travis and Superintendent Hank to continue negotiations with the company and tabled action for the evening. Trustees said they preferred a negotiated provision that would allow termination after an initial ramp‑up if revenue benchmarks were not met, or a shorter fixed term if the vendor would not accept an exit clause.

Board members said they would be comfortable with a structured ramp‑up period that recognizes time needed to educate the market but still provides the district an option to end the agreement if the vendor underperforms.