Farmers State Bank to underwrite new softball and baseball scoreboards; board approves replacement

The Excelsior Springs School District Board approved a proposal to replace aging softball and baseball scoreboards with new Daktronics systems funded through a sponsorship agreement with Farmers State Bank.

Eric Marshall, the district activities director, told the board the two existing scoreboards are roughly 19 years old and have become unreliable. Marshall said he approached Farmers State Bank and the bank offered to cover the cost in a marketing arrangement that would pay the district the sponsorship amount over five years.

Marshall said the vendor estimate to replace both boards was about $35,000; the bank’s sponsorship is structured as an $8,000-per-year marketing commitment over five years for an effective $40,000 package that includes additional advertising. Marshall said the district would temporarily front the purchase and the bank would repay the district under the agreed schedule. Netting and other protective hardware will be added to protect the softball scoreboard.

Daktronics will supply the equipment and the district will use the company’s standard contract, Marshall said; the contract will be reviewed and customized through the district’s legal process. Board members asked for explicit contract terms and noted that a detailed payment schedule, legal review and termination provisions should be included. Marshall said the district will follow Daktronics’ contract templates and work with the bank on dates and performance terms.

Board Member Truck moved to approve the proposal and Board Member Derek seconded. The board voted 7–0 to approve the agreement.

Marshall said standardizing to a single scoreboard vendor should reduce long‑term service complexity because the district currently uses multiple scoreboard manufacturers across facilities.