Board opts for simpler version

Scaled-down unit will coast $125K

By Jessica Schonberg - Jessica Schonberg

Rock Hill's District Three Stadium will be getting a cheaper and simpler new scoreboard than planned.

The school board Monday voted to spend about $125,000 on a scoreboard with a digital display panel and 25-second play clocks. That is about $200,000 less than the top-of-the-line scoreboard with advertising panels and a video screen the school board originally discussed.

Board members opted for the simpler version when they found out the fancier board would be more expensive than they planned for.

There was little discussion about the decision to go with the scaled- back version, which most board members seemed to support after a lengthier talk two weeks ago.

"I think we just need to go ahead and go forward," said Walter Brown, who promptly made a motion to approve buying the less expensive scoreboard.

The new style still will allow the district to make money off advertising sales and to highlight student accomplishments on the display screen. Those were two of the original draws to replacing the 30-year-old scoreboard with something a little jazzier.

Board member Jason Silverman voted against the new scoreboard, and Jim Vining abstained from voting. Silverman and Vining were the only two board members to vote against spending money on the scoreboard when it was first approved last fall.

"I am just far too concerned about the ramifications of the economic crisis in South Carolina and I have very little faith that it will be rectified anytime soon," Silverman said before the meeting. "My common sense tells me that when you're worried about money, you don't spend it."

The board also gave the OK to add the display screen and play clocks to the scoreboard at the district's second stadium at South Pointe High School, as long as the two projects combined don't cost more than $175,000.

Also at Monday's meeting, the school board approved hiring a new principal for Sullivan Middle School.

Michael Waiksnis, an assistant principal at Castle Heights Middle School, will take over that job. Sullivan Principal Robert Heath is retiring.