Board authorizes $330,000 stadium scoreboard and superintendent to finalize sponsorships

The Fairbanks Local School Board voted to approve a $330,000 purchase for a new stadium scoreboard and authorized the superintendent to negotiate sponsorship agreements to cover the cost. Chair (S2) moved the measure and members recorded an affirmative vote.

Superintendent (S3) said the district has contacted three prospective sponsors who have committed funds and that staff are evaluating two leading vendors, Netco and Daktronics. “With these three contracts, that would cover the cost of the scoreboard,” S3 said, and added vendor follow-up on maintenance, display quality and software ease-of-use is ongoing.

Board members raised operational and installation questions, including whether existing conduit and electric will support the new board, how invasive trenching would be for field wiring and how quickly the district could place an order. S3 said staff expect to identify a preferred vendor, finalize design and pricing, and be ready to order within about two weeks.

Members also discussed sponsor visibility and content controls. Committee member (S5) asked whether sponsors would have the right to choose the scoreboard model; S3 replied the district would select the vendor and control appearance and placement, but would show sponsors the design before final commitments are made. The board noted student or community involvement in operating the display could create career-technical learning opportunities.

Next steps: staff will finalize vendor selection and sponsorship contracts, then authorize procurement and schedule installation. The authorization to enter sponsorship agreements was approved at the meeting.