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Board approves video scoreboards and a student curriculum tied to ad revenue
Summary
Trustees approved purchasing video scoreboards (purchase recommended over lease), with administration saying the package includes a student curriculum and ad-revenue assistance; costs were estimated at about $185,000 (with optional upgrades) and will be covered from fund balances. Additional infrastructure costs were noted as not included in vendor quotes.
The Columbia CUSD 4 Board approved purchasing digital video scoreboards for the districts multipurpose field and gymnasiums, with staff recommending purchase rather than a lease and to pay from current fund balances.
Administration described two vendor options: the districts incumbent (Nevco) offered to match local pricing, while a local vendor proposed lower pricing plus a curriculum package that would train staff and, eventually, students to operate the boards as a hands-on course or CTE pathway. The district would initially rely on vendor assistance with advertising sales and on a revenue split that could be 50/50 while the vendor builds out sales, moving to a larger share for the district in later years.
Cost details discussed in the meeting included a core package for field and gym boards estimated around $185,000 (the district cited a $200,000 figure for the field plus an $85,000 optional 10-by-9 back-facing board). Leasing remained an option at roughly $40,000 per year depending on configuration; staff recommended purchase to maximize long-term revenue and return on investment. Administration also warned trustees that vendor quotes did not include electric or fiber infrastructure work and that the first year could be a deficit year for operations before ad revenue ramps up.
Administration said the vendor estimated local ad revenue potential at roughly $100,000 per year once sales were established, but staff emphasized revenue projections depend on local sales activity, contract terms and how the district phases-in responsibility for ad sales.
The board moved and approved the purchase by roll call. Trustees discussed implementing the curriculum as a multi-year plan beginning with a train-the-trainer model so staff could teach students to operate scoreboards and build a sustainable program over time.
Next steps: administration will finalize contract terms, confirm whether sound-system upgrades are required and report back on total infrastructure costs before installation.
