Don Hansen and Jerry Sikkink from Daktronics presented a proposal for a new electronic scoreboard at the Tiger Stadium.

The football project would be similar to the Huron Arena scoreboard, which now brings in $16,000 in revenue each year.

Daktronics Sports Marketing is a marketing division of Daktronics that provides customized, unique marketing services to help schools fund new scoreboards by raising advertising and sponsorship revenue.

The stadium scoreboard would be 26 and a half feet tall by 25 feet. It would include a football scoreboard and a digital message display in the center. The display area would be 6 feet by 16 feet and would be capable of displaying player pictures and stats; game stats; track and field listings and results; interactive messages with graphics; and sponsor advertising.

The scoreboard would also include four large and six smaller full-color static advertising spaces.

The estimated total cost for the project would be $140,000. It would involve Daktronics recruiting 16 to 18 advertisers, both current and new ones. The projected annual advertising revenue from the new scoreboard is $25,000. Completion would be prior to the beginning of school next fall.

The board heard the first reading of the proposed district configuration plan and proposed budget reductions for 2010-11.

The configuration plan entails closing the central administration building in 2010 and in 2011 closing Jefferson Elementary and setting up grade level buildings to include a kindergarten complex, grades 1 and 2, grades three and four, grades five through eight at the middle school and grades nine through 12 at the high school.

The budget reductions, totaling $419,127, will include travel and supply budget cuts of 10 percent; extra duty assignments where possible; a reduction in the school resource officer’s hours; discontinue mail delivery to the colony schools; reducing the number of activity buses used for out-of-town games by taking cheerleaders only to tournaments; eliminating 11 coaching and assistant positions; and several teacher and staff positions throughout the district. Also, beginning next year, hiring substitutes to be in the classroom for monthly teacher planning times will be eliminated. Instead, elementary schools will be closed during those times.

Final action will be taken on these items at the next school board meeting.

The board approved a request to declare gymnastic scoreboards as surplus property so they can be sold to the Aberdeen School District for $2,250. They were purchased in 2002 for $4,500. The scoreboards were used for state gymnastic meets, but Huron no longer has the facilities required to host a state event.

Larry Peterson, high school band director, gave a report on the Huron Tiger Marching Band Indoor Exhibition held last October in the Arena. Total profit from the show, which included the middle school marching band and all cheer and dance teams, was $2,256. Among this total was $807 raised through selling advertising in the programs. Peterson said they are looking at moving the show to a week night next year instead of a Saturday in hopes of increasing attendance.

Business manager Kelly Christopherson reported that the natural gas contract for next year is for .757 cent per therm. That is the lowest price in the last six years and will reflect an additional savings of $12,000 to the district.

He also gave a high school renovation update to the board. The display case in the link addition is currently being installed. Once that is installed the hallway floor and ceiling will be finished. The shop building is almost complete. The aisle lighting in the auditorium is the main thing left to be completed. It will be installed as part of the carpet edging.

Christopherson worked with the contractor to develop a plan to allow them partial access to the gym and locker rooms beginning March 1. Getting an early start will help ensure the project is completed before school starts in the fall.

Tim VanBerkum gave a rundown on current legislation as it pertains to schools. He said with one week left in the legislative session, he expects it to be a wild week.

Superintendent Ross Opsal congratulated the middle and high school students selected to All-State Band; the Tiger wrestlers for a great season; the girls’ and boys’ basketball teams for making it to the State Tournaments; the high school debaters who qualified for nationals; the middle school basketball team for winning the Big Four Tournament; and the Huron hockey team for its great season.

For the complete article see the 03-09-2010 issue.

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