HIGHVIEW PUBLIC SCHOOL SCHOOL COUNCIL

Options for a Digital Scoreboard

Judy Coultes-MacLeod TWR2000 – Project #2 March 2015

Table of Contents

Executive Summary ...... 3

Current Situation ...... 4 Decision Criteria: ...... 4 Implications: ...... 4 Gym Class ...... 4 House League ...... 5 Interschool Athletics ...... 5

Options ...... 6 Option 1: Harris Time Inc. Model HT1500: ...... 6 Option 2: Harris Time Inc. Model HT1000 ...... 6 Option 3: The Scoreboard Man Model 2700-NL ...... 7 Option 4: The Scoreboard Man Ultra Score Portable Model ...... 7 Comparison of Options 1 to 4: ...... 8 Analysis of the Options: ...... 9 Option 4 ...... 9 Option 3 ...... 9 Options 1 and 2 ...... 9

Recommendation ...... 11 Implementation: ...... 11

Conclusion ...... 12

Appendices ...... 13 Appendix 1: Schools in York Region that have Purchased Digital Scoreboards ...... 13 Appendix 2: Comparison of Features of Scoreboards ...... 14 Appendix 3: Comparison of the Cost Components of Scoreboards ...... 16

Digital Scoreboard Options Page 2 Executive Summary

Highview Public School (Highview) does not currently have a digit scoreboard in the gym. The Highview School Council is considering proposals for ways to utilize funds raised by the school community that benefit the student population as a whole. This proposal will show that a digital scoreboard enhances the learning environment at the school and proposes a recommendation on an appropriate purchase.

The decision criteria for the purchase of a digital scoreboard includes the following:  The scoreboard benefits the student population at Highview as a whole and enhances the learning environment;  The scoreboard is available at a reasonable cost;  The scoreboard prominently displays the Highview logo;  The scoreboard includes a stopwatch to count time up and down; and  The scoreboard tracks scores for sports including and .

Quotes were received from two companies with other installations in York Region providing four options to consider. The benefits and features of these four models are compared and analyzed.

The recommendation is to purchase Model HT1500 from Harris Time Inc. The benefits of this model include the following:  Students will benefit daily from using the scoreboard in gym class enhancing the accountability of students for their own results;  The scoreboard comes at a more reasonable cost than other options;  Students will learn the finer points of keeping score of various sports – more features displayed;  The scoreboard comes with a Lexan protective screen that does not impede the view, as can be the case with metal screens.

The student population at Highview will all benefit from the purchase of the HT1500 for years to come.

Digital Scoreboard Options Page 3 Current Situation

Highview Public School does not have a digit scoreboard in the gym. During gym class for timed activities, the gym teacher uses a handheld timer or a smartphone so the results are visible only to them, i.e. the students do not see the time as it elapses. The students use a manual flip chart board to keep track of scores for games played in gym class or for games where Highview is hosting another school.

The School Council has funding available that could be used to purchase and install a digital scoreboard. This proposal will discuss how a digital scoreboard will enhance the learning environment at the school, analyze four models to consider and make a recommendation on which scoreboard to purchase.

Decision Criteria: The School Council is considering proposals to utilize funds raised by the school community that improve the learning environment at Highview.

As discussed with the Head of the Physical Education Department and the Principal at Highview, the decision criteria for the purchase of a digital scoreboard includes the following:  The scoreboard benefits the student population at Highview as a whole and enhances the learning environment;  The scoreboard is available at a reasonable cost;  The scoreboard prominently displays the Highview logo;  The scoreboard includes a stopwatch to count time up and down; and  The scoreboard tracks scores for sports including volleyball and basketball.

Implications: There is an active sports program at Highview. Physical education is an important part of the curriculum at the school and all students participate in gym classes. There are many house league activities that take place during the lunch hour including basketball, dodge ball, soccer, and floor hockey. The school has teams that participate in interschool athletics including volleyball, basketball and badminton for both girls and boys. A digital scoreboard will benefit students in each of these activities as discussed below.

Gym Class Part of the learning in gym class is to participate in physical activities to improve overall physical health and well being. The curriculum focuses on the physical fitness of students and requires testing to track improvement over the course of the school year. Currently, without a digital scoreboard for timed activities in gym class, the teacher uses a handheld timer – either a smartphone or a stopwatch – visible only to them, i.e., the students do not see the time as it elapses. The stopwatch function on the scoreboard will allow students to

Digital Scoreboard Options Page 4 see their timed results, track their own times making them more accountable for these results and encourage them to strive for improvement.

The scoreboard will also be used to track scores in games and teach students the finer points of the rules in various sports. For example, the scoreboard will teach students the rules about ball possession and fouls in basketball etc. Students will be taught how to use the scoreboard controller in gym class allowing them to participate as scorekeepers during house league activities or for interschool games.

House League The scoreboard will be available for students to use to keep score during house league activities. Students that may not be interested in participating in the house league sports may be interested in scoring, increasing the number of students involved and enhancing the community spirit at the school.

Interschool Athletics Having a scoreboard will also improve the ability of Highview to host games against other schools and to hold tournaments. Most of the other schools Highview competes against in interschool athletics have digital scoreboards. These schools often host tournaments inviting 3 or 4 teams to participate in a series of games. This type of activity raises the profile of the school and provides an opportunity to fundraise through the sale of food and beverages. Tournaments also provide learning and participation opportunities for students that may not be part of a school team increasing the number of students involved in extra-curricular activities. Students could be tasked with organizing tournaments which would involve managing the registration, scorekeeping the games and running the concession stand activities.

Engaging students to develop and maintain a healthy, active lifestyle is an important part of the elementary school curriculum. Highview does an excellent job of teaching students about the benefits of physical activity and the addition of the scoreboard would further enhance this direction through all of the activities mentioned above.

Digital Scoreboard Options Page 5 Options

Quotes for four models of digital scoreboards were obtained from two vendors – Harris Time Inc. Scoreboards and The Scoreboard Man. These vendors have installations at other York Region schools. Refer to Appendix 1 for a list of schools that have used these companies.

Harris Time Inc. is a Canadian company based in Oakville that has been in business for over 35 years. They manufacture and install their own factory built scoreboards and timing equipment.

The Scoreboard Man is a Canadian company based in Orillia with over 40 years of experience in the scoreboard and display business. They install Nevco scoreboards (a US based company in the business for over 75 years) within Canada.

There are four options presented for consideration as follows:

Option 1: Harris Time Inc. Model HT1500:

Figure 1: Model HT1500 – Highview Hawks logo would be displayed in the Logo Space and Hawks would replace Home

Option 2: Harris Time Inc. Model HT1000

Figure 2: Model HT1000 – Hawks would replace Home and Highview Hawks would run across the bottom

Digital Scoreboard Options Page 6 Option 3: The Scoreboard Man Model 2700-NL

Figure 3: Model 2700-NL – Hawks would show in place of Trojans and Highview Hawks would run across the bottom

Option 4: The Scoreboard Man Ultra Score Portable Model

Figure 4: Ultra Score Portable Model – no display for Hawks or Highview logo

A comparison of the options and the features of each is found in the chart that follows:

Digital Scoreboard Options Page 7 Comparison of Options 1 to 4: Option 1: Option 2: Option 3: Option 4: Features HT1500 HT1000 Model 2700-NL Ultra Score Portable Harris Time Inc Harris Time Inc The Scoreboard Man The Scoreboard Man Description Permanent wall – flat or Permanent wall – flat or Permanent wall – corner Portable – indoor and corner mount installation corner mount installation mount only outdoor use Cost (before HST) $5,575.00 $4,550.00 $8,286.40 $2,367.76 Uses for Scoreboard Volleyball, basketball, Volleyball, basketball, Volleyball, basketball, Volleyball, basketball, timed drills timed drills timed drills baseball, football, soccer and timed drills Display Features Displays “Hawks” score, Displays “Hawks” score, Displays “Hawks” score, Displays home score, guest guest score, time of game, guest score, time of game, guest score, time of game, score, time of game, periods, fouls, bonus and periods, bonus, and periods, bonus, double periods possession indicator possession indicator bonus and possession indicator Team Colours Available in team colours Available in team colours Available in team colours No colour choices Protective Screen Lexan protective screen Lexan protective screen Metal mesh protective No protective screen screen Stopwatch Clock Stopwatch clock functions Stopwatch clock functions Stopwatch clock functions Stopwatch clock functions with up and down counter with up and down counter with up and down counter with up and down counter Warranty 5 year warranty 5 year warranty 5 year warranty 2 year warranty Value Added Features Similar features to Option 3 Similar features to Option 3 “Hawks” displayed in place Portability, weather but at more reasonable but at more reasonable of Home, “Home of Hawks” resistant so can be used cost, “Hawks” displayed in cost, “Hawks” displayed in along bottom, displays outside place of Home, includes place of Home, “Hawks” double bonus non-illuminating panel to logo displayed on lower display “Hawks” logo, panel but less prominent number of fouls or games than Option 1, no visual won displayed, no visual interference with Lexan interference with Lexan protective screen protective screen

See Appendix 2 for a more detailed comparison of the features for each option.

Digital Scoreboard Options Page 8 In terms of the cost, Option 3 from the Scoreboard Man is more expensive than either of the Harris Time Options, which are comparable units. The cost differential between Option 1 and Option 3 is $2,700 before HST. A detailed breakdown of the cost components for each option is provided in Appendix 3.

Analysis of the Options: This section provides an analysis of the options and makes a recommendation. Option 4 This is a portable unit that could be used inside and out. It would sit on the floor of the gym or outside on the ground. Highview has had a portable digital scoreboard before and it did not withstand the moving around that it had to endure being used for gym classes and inter school sports activities. Option 4, the portable scoreboard from The Scoreboard Man is not recommended.

Option 3 This unit would be installed on the wall of the gym with a corner mount. The cost is significantly higher for this model than the comparable models shown in Options 1 and 2. Strictly on the basis of cost, Option 3, Model 2700-NL, is not recommended.

In addition, scoreboards from The Scoreboard Man appear to be more suited to secondary schools than elementary schools given the list of those that have installed scoreboards as provided by the vendor.

Options 1 and 2 Reviewing the list of schools where scoreboards have been installed, the Harris Time Inc. Scoreboards are installed in elementary schools more frequently. The scoreboards from this company appear to be a better fit for Highview. Both units come with the Lexan protective screen, which does not impede the view of the scoreboard as can be the case with the mesh metal screen. Both units from this vendor can be installed on the gym wall with either a flat or corner mount.

Looking at the differences between the two remaining models, HT1500 in Option 1 and HT1000 in Option 2:  The HT1500 displays the number of fouls for each team in basketball or the number of games won by each team for volleyball which the HT1000 does not;  The HT1500 model has the non-illuminating graphic panel that more prominently displays the “Highview Hawks” team logo than the HT1000; and  The HT 1500 costs an additional $1,025 (before HST).

Digital Scoreboard Options Page 9 In terms of meeting the decision criteria, the HT1500 appears to be the best fit for Highview. Having the team logo displayed prominently in the gym is an added feature that will enhance school spirit. In addition, this scoreboard has added features of tracking the numbers of fouls in basketball and the games won for volleyball, enhancing the learning experience for students by teaching some of the finer points of scoring games. The additional features would be beneficial to hosting other teams in interschool games and possibly increasing the likelihood of Highview hosting tournaments as well.

Digital Scoreboard Options Page 10 Recommendation

It is recommended that the School Council approve the purchase of the Option 1 scoreboard – the Harris Time Inc. HT1500. This model best meets the decision criteria as established, improves the learning experience for all of the students at Highview and provides value added features:  Students will benefit daily from using the scoreboard in gym class enhancing the accountability of students for their own results;  The scoreboard comes at a more reasonable cost than other options;  Students will learn the finer points of keeping score of various sports – more features displayed;  The scoreboard comes with a Lexan protective screen that does not impede the view, as can be the case with metal screens.

Implementation: The implementation plan for the purchase of this scoreboard includes the following: 1. The Physical Education Head will contact Harris Time Inc. to order the scoreboard providing the choice of school colours for the background and the logo for the panel. 2. A representative from Harris Time Inc. will come to the school to finalize the purchase and provide details about the electrical work that needs to be done prior to the installation. An electrician will be required to install a duplex receptacle at the location of the scoreboard. 3. The administrative assistant of the school will contact the school board about the electrical work that is required based on the information provided by the vendor. 4. All other installation work is included in the cost and provided by Harris Time Inc.

The scoreboard will be available for installation within three to four weeks after submitting the order.

Digital Scoreboard Options Page 11 Conclusion

The installation of a digital scoreboard will enhance the learning environment at Highview Public School of all students. The HT1500 scoreboard meets all of the decision criteria as discussed above:  Benefits the student population at Highview as a whole – it will be used daily in gym classes, during house league activities and for interschool sports;  Is available at a reasonable cost – the HT1500 is reasonably priced and is a quality product;  Prominently displays the Highview logo – the display panel will show the Hawks logo enhancing the school spirit;  Includes a stopwatch to count time up and down – the timer runs up and down allowing students to time themselves in gym classes improving their accountability for their own results; and  Tracks scores for sports including volleyball and basketball – the additional features on the scoreboard will teach students the finer points of sports and increase the opportunities for involvement in activities for more students.

The purchase of the HT1500 digital scoreboard will enhance the learning environment at Highview for years to come.

Digital Scoreboard Options Page 12 Appendices

Appendix 1: Schools in York Region that have Purchased Digital Scoreboards

Harris Time Inc. School Location Model Beynon Fields Public School Richmond Hill HT1500 Vellore Woods Public School Woodbridge HT1500 Hartman Public School Aurora HT1500 Pierre Berton Public School Maple HT1500 Ashton Meadows Markham HT1000 Sir John A MacDonald Markham HT1000 Cedarwood Public School Markham HT1000 Wendat Public School Stouffville HT1000 Nellie McClung Maple HT1000

The Scoreboard Man

School Location Model Aurora High School Aurora 2450 Dr. G W Williams Secondary School Aurora 2670 Ecole secondaire catholique Aurora 2650 Renaissance Our Lady of Grace Catholic School Aurora 2700-NL St Andrews College Aurora 2250, 2450, 2550-D St Joan of Arc Catholic Secondary School Maple 2450 Dr. John M Denison Secondary School Newmarket 2200 Huron Heights Secondary School Newmarket 2600, 2700-NL Newmarket High School Newmarket 2200, 2450 Sacred Heart Catholic High School Newmarket 2550-D Sir William Mulock Secondary School Newmarket 2550-D

Digital Scoreboard Options Page 13 Appendix 2: Comparison of Features of Scoreboards

Option 1: Option 2: Option 3: Option 4: Features HT1500 HT1000 Model 2700-NL Ultra Score Portable Harris Time Inc Harris Time Inc The Scoreboard Man The Scoreboard Man Description Permanent wall – flat or Permanent wall – flat or Permanent wall – corner Portable – indoor and corner mount installation corner mount installation mount only outdoor use Cost (before HST) $5,575.00 $4,550.00 $8,286.40 $2,367.76 Dimensions 4’ x 8’ x 6” 2.5’ x 8’ x 6” 3’ x 8’ x 8” 2’x 3’ x 2.5” (H x W x D) Weight 110 lbs 90 lbs 71 lbs 21 lbs Scoring for Games Basketball, volleyball, Basketball, volleyball, Basketball, volleyball, Baseball, soccer, practice drills practice drills practice drills football, basketball, practice drills Information Displays “Hawks” score, Displays “Hawks” score, Displays “Hawks” score, Displays home score, Displayed guest score, time of game, guest score, time of game, guest score, time of game, guest score, time of periods, fouls, bonus and periods, bonus, and periods, bonus, double game, periods possession indicator possession indicator bonus and possession indicator Digit Size All 12” red LED All 12” red LED 13” scores, 9” period red LED All 12” red LED Non-illuminated Available for team logo and Not available Available for team logo and Not an option Panel included in price shown as separate cost Graphic Panel Included in price Included in price Available at additional cost Not an option Protective Screen Lexan Protective Screen Lexan Protective Screen Metal Mesh Protective Not an option Screen Team Name Can replace “Home” with Can replace “Home” with Can replace “Home” with Not an option Hawks Hawks Hawks

Digital Scoreboard Options Page 14 Option 1: Option 2: Option 3: Option 4: Features HT1500 HT1000 Model 2700-NL Ultra Score Portable Harris Time Inc Harris Time Inc The Scoreboard Man The Scoreboard Man Team Colour Can choose colour Can choose colour Can choose colour Not an option Warranty 5 year warranty – includes 5 year warranty – includes 5 year warranty 2 year warranty the control panel the control panel 2 year on control panel Value Added Features Cost, displays number of Cost, “Hawks” displayed in Hawks” displayed in place of Portability, weather fouls or games won, place of Home, scoreboard Home, scoreboard colour resistant so can be used “Hawks” displayed in place colour choice, no visual choice, displays double outside of Home, includes non- interference with lexan bonus illuminating panel to display protective screen home team, scoreboard colour choice, no visual interference with lexan protective screen

Digital Scoreboard Options Page 15 Appendix 3: Comparison of the Cost Components of Scoreboards

Option 1: Option 2: Option 3: Option 4: Features HT1500 HT1000 Model 2700-NL Ultra Score Portable Harris Time Inc Harris Time Inc The Scoreboard Man The Scoreboard Man Scoreboard $5,575.00 $4,550.00 $3,298.00 $2,191.00 Wireless control panel Included Included $406.00 Included Wireless receiver n/a* n/a $499.00 n/a Carrying case ** n/a n/a $36.00 $142.00 Non-illuminated sign Included Included $531.00 n/a Protective screen Included Included $772.00 n/a Brackets for installation Included Included $679.00 n/a Installation Included Included $1,800.00 n/a Delivery/Freight Included Included $265.4 $34.76 Subtotal $5,575.00 $4,550.00 $8,286.40 $2,367.76 HST $724.75 $591.50 $1,077.23 $307.81 Total $6.299.75 $5,141.50 $9,363.63 $2,675.57 Notes: *n/a = not applicable ** = Carrying case is for the control panel in Option 3 and for the portable scoreboard in Option 4

Digital Scoreboard Options Page 16