Upgraded York High Scoreboard: It's Complicated

ELMHURST, IL – A new scoreboard for York High School's football field is listed as one of the local school district's summer projects.

The reality: It's not going to happen anytime soon.

At Tuesday's school board meeting, a top official said he learned the district first needed to get a city permit.

While a city ordinance regulating such things is vague, he said, the city indicated it needed to approve the scoreboard.

"This probably won't be done this year," said Todd Schmidt, facilities director for Elmhurst School District 205. "The scoreboard we have out there is working right now."

The district is looking to get a video scoreboard, with prices ranging from $131,000 to $167,000. The video would be an upgrade from the existing equipment.

The estimated allocation for the scoreboard is $100,000. The district is hoping to make up the difference with donations from groups such as booster clubs. It is considering including advertising on the sign.

At Tuesday's meeting, board President Kara Caforio said the board should figure out where the advertising income would go and who would sell the ads.

"I think those questions should be answered ahead of time," she said. "In theory, it sounds simple, but there's a lot to consider."

She also said it was important to keep neighbors in the loop.

"We need to make sure the neighbors are aware and that we're working with them," Caforio said.

Earlier this year, the Western Springs Village Board approved a new video scoreboard for Lyons Township High School's South Campus.

Some neighbors expressed concern about the equipment.