Scoreboard ad plan approved by South Whidbey School District board

The South Whidbey School District board of directors approved a marketing and fundraising plan that will help pay for the purchase of new scoreboards for South Whidbey High School at a workshop meeting Wednesday night. The plan, proposed by Maintenance Director Brian Miller and community member Jon Chapman, will give businesses the opportunity to purchase long-term advertising on the back of Waterman Field’s press box and main gymnasium wall.

The South Whidbey School District board of directors approved a marketing and fundraising plan that will help pay for the purchase of new scoreboards for South Whidbey High School at a workshop meeting Wednesday night.

The plan, proposed by Maintenance Director Brian Miller and community member Jon Chapman, will give businesses the opportunity to purchase long-term advertising on the back of Waterman Field’s press box and main gymnasium wall. The cost for 2-by-8-foot signage on the press box and gym wall is $15,000, while individual costs are $10,500 and $5,750, respectively. The revenue from the advertising will go toward the purchase of new scoreboards that will replace the deteriorating scoreboards on the football field and in the main gymnasium. The type of scoreboards the district will purchase is still being determined. New but similar scoreboards would cost $45,000, while digital and video scoreboards would be more costly at $183,050.

In an email, Chapman reported that he garnered $90,000 in verbal commitments from six South Whidbey businesses, including China City, Porter Insurance, Hanson’s Building Supply and Whidbey Telecom.

Chapman said that concerns were raised by businesses during the process, including assurance that the advertising would remain in place for the full 20 years and weather any changes in administrative personnel, the upkeep and replacement of the signage and ensuring the signs are lit so they are visible day and night. Contracts with these issues clarified and addressed are currently being crafted by the district.

Board Director Damian Greene also urged the advertising team to allow other businesses the opportunity to purchase advertising through an ad in the South Whidbey Record.