Trustees give thumbs-up to scoreboard deal

Drawing shows what the scoreboard for the new Gaffney High School football stadium will look like. The Cherokee County School Board approved a 10-year contract Monday that clears the way for a $452,666 animated scoreboard in the new Gaffney High stadium.

Board member Billy Blackwell made the motion to approve the scoreboard contract. School trustee Lindley Auton seconded the motion.

The contract was approved by a 7-0 vote. School trustee Barry Bailey was absent.

The scoreboard is a major project of the Gaffney Football Booster Club. Primary sponsors are the Gaffney Board of Public Works, First Piedmont Federal Savings & Loan, Cherokee Masonry, and a fourth sponsor that wants to remain anonymous.

Video advertisements and ad space on the scoreboard will provide a revenue stream to support operating the device. Under the agreement, the scoreboard will be maintained and operated under the supervision of GHS Athletic Director Phil Strickland.

The Board of Public Works signed off on the contract during its meeting last week.

A sticking point in the discussions involved the district's decision to have its attorneys write the scoreboard contract, superintendent Dr. Bill James said. Two companies wanted their attorneys to be involved in writing the contract details.

"We're talking about almost a half million dollars in equipment. That was part of the fly in the ointment," James said. "Our attorneys said they felt it would be best to write and draft the document to protect the district's interests as well as the other parties involved."

Entire Gaffney High football games can be recorded and replayed using the scoreboard equipment. The games can be broadcast over the Internet.

The company providing the giant scoreboard has a production facility to provide video effects, James said. The company will be on site for games during the first year and will provide training for using the equipment.