Vendor proposes digital scoreboards, student media program and shot clocks for Perkiomen Valley SD

Perkiomen Valley School District’s Safety & Operations Committee on Nov. 20 heard a presentation from Digital Scoreboards proposing a combined scoreboard/shot-clock installation and a seven-year student media curriculum intended to offset costs through advertising revenue.

Bob Hartman, a representative of Digital Scoreboards, told the committee his company can supply two 12-by-7 indoor digital displays with installation, AV and a seven-year cloud subscription included. He said the firm provides a seven-year parts-and-labor warranty and local support. "In the DS media program, your net your cost is net 0," Hartman said, describing a model in which the company sells advertising and guarantees funds back to the district.

Hartman outlined the financial example the company provided: an updated September proposal priced the installation at $25,000, with a guaranteed $25,000 annual payment back through the vendor’s ad program. He said additional items needed for year one — shot clocks and backboard lighting — would add roughly $12,800, bringing the example first-year outlay to about $37,080. "On top of that, on the revenue share for generating advertising... you're gonna get 25%, we're gonna get 75%," Hartman said.

District staff and committee members pressed the vendor on ad approval and local sponsorships. A committee member raised the district's advertising policy and asked whether approval would go through the business office; Hartman said the district retains "a right of refusal on anything that we're doing" and that preexisting sponsor relationships can be carved out of any contract.

Hartman also described service commitments: an initial contact with a human support representative in about 87 seconds, remote fixes "within 7 minutes" when possible and an on-site technician for larger issues. He told the committee the company would typically take 8–10 weeks from contract signing to installation.

Athletic Director Bob Felty framed the proposal as addressing both athletics and curriculum use, arguing the displays could be used in physical education classes, assemblies and student media projects in addition to game-day functions.

Next steps: the presentation was informational; committee members asked staff to share the contract language with the district solicitor and return with a recommendation, schedule and cost breakdown for board consideration. No formal contract was authorized at the meeting.