USD 408 purchases scoreboards, basketball goals years ago
Marion National Bank
gives $10,000 donation
Sports reporter
The new gymnasium currently being constructed for Marion High School isn't going to look like the University of Kansas' Allen Field House.
But the basketball goals will.
Marion-Florence USD 408 board of education approved Monday night two Spalding BPI 10000 goals for the gym, which is the same model, with a slightly different design, that the 2008 NCAA National Champion Kansas Jayhawks currently use.
"That's the kind of quality we have," USD 408 superintendent Lee Leiker said. "Spalding is a very reputable company, they have been around athletics for a long time."
Board members were impressed with the breakaway goals, which fit underneath the walking track above, which allow for practice courts to be utilized without having to move the main goals out of the way.
"Feel free to come in and dunk anytime," Leiker joked to the board.
Spalding recently has come out with a newer model, allowing for the district to receive the normally $20,000-plus goals at a total price of $15,000.
"Wow, that's a great deal," board member Kathy Meierhoff said upon hearing the price.
The district felt it received another good deal with the purchase of two, 15-foot Datronics scoreboards.
The wireless, digital boards will have capabilities to include the school names of both teams, the score, the jersey number, points scored, and number of fouls on each of the 10 players on the court.
It also will be conducive to volleyball and wrestling matches.
The price of the two together came to roughly $22,900.
Then Marion National Bank stepped in.
It donated $10,000 toward the purchase, and will have its name across the top of each scoreboard.
Together the district received two goals and two scoreboards, from industry leaders, for a total of $27,900, down from the original price of $42,900, and Leiker said he is in talks with Central National Bank and Tampa State Bank for more sponsorship opportunities.
"We're getting quality scoreboards and goals at a great price, and this equipment will compliment the quality of the facility," Leiker said.
In other business:
— The board accepted the following resignations: Tina Kraus as Marion Middle School science teacher; Autumn Hardey as MMS girls' basketball coach and Marion High School assistant volleyball coach; Crystal Gray as Marion Elementary School second grade teacher; Jandee Moore as Marion-USD 408 REC board member.
— The board approved the appointment of Gene Lanning to replace Moore on the REC board.
— The board approved facility use for vacation Bible school.
— The board approved its Kansas Association of School Board members dues and legal fees.
— The board declared high school basketball warm-ups as surplus.
— The board hired Thane Schwartz and Kasson Schmidt as summer custodial help, and Ben Leppke as summer technology and computers help.
— The board took a tour of the gymnasium and indoor pool building with MHS activities director Tod Gordon, and project architect Greg Tice.
