Sturgis schools to purchase new scoreboard

Sturgis Public Schools has reached its funding goal to purchase a video scoreboard.

Superintendent Art Ebert announced the news March 21. While the district is paying for upfront costs of the board through its public-improvement fund, revenue from sponsorships will more than pay for the project over the course of a decade, Ebert said.

He said the payback period could drop to as short as five years if all sponsorship slots are filled.

The district decided to pay the upfront costs instead of securing a loan in an effort to avoid closing costs and interest payments. That will shorten the payback period and allow for a larger portion of the sponsorship revenue to flow into school athletics, according to Ebert.

The 11 sponsors are: Sturgis Area Community Foundation, Sturgis Bank and Trust, Abbott, Gest Pro Tree Service, Glen Oaks Community College, Hype Brand Management, Jansen Plumbing Heating and Cooling, Pivotal, Sportsarama, Stevens Bros. Barber Co., and The Idriss Co. Landscaping.