The launch of jumbotrons at the high schools are new this year in Parkway, and Parkway North was the first to complete theirs this fall. Parkway West and Parkway Central’s new fancy scoreboards are under construction currently. However, Parkway South may not be getting its new scoreboard any time soon, and when we do get it, it could be smaller than the other three Parkway schools.

When Parkway North began its football season on September 11, fans got their first look at part of a new marketing effort meant to increase revenue for district schools.

The new video scoreboard was first installed at North High, and made its debut this football season.The scoreboard is smaller but similar to the jumbotrons you would see at the professional level. These scoreboards display video ads and updates throughout the game.

The scoreboard is the first step of a new sports marketing plan at Parkway. Advertising and sponsorships will cover the cost of the scoreboards, and the price is in the neighborhood of around $450,000 for each.

Construction was planned to begin on Parkway West and Central’s scoreboards in mid November, and will plan to be finished by the end of the year. North High’s went up first after the district received approval from St. Louis County. Chesterfield officials have approved the new scoreboards at Parkway Central and Parkway West high schools.

A problem has arisen here at South between the school district and the City of Manchester. Parkway South’s athletic director, Pat Burns, has revealed a problem on the situation of the scoreboard.

“Currently, Parkway School District and the City of Manchester are working together to resolve permitting issues surrounding the size of the scoreboard,” said Burns.

Parkway’s athletic director, Mike Roth said he is still confident that Parkway can secure a deal with the city of Manchester.

“The scoreboard has not been approved at South because it presently violates the sign ordinance for the City of Manchester; however, we are working closely with Manchester to speed up the process,” Roth said.

Roth said permit applications have not been submitted to the city of Manchester for Parkway South. City leaders are in talks with school district representatives about the issue.

“It is much larger than what we allow,” City Administrator Andy Hixson said in an article on Stltoday.com.

Roth has also explained why the situation is so different at Parkway South, than it is at the other three high schools in Parkway

“The situation at South is different from the other three Parkway schools because the areas of the schools all have different requirements for building permits. St. Louis County was the first to grant a building permit, therefore Parkway North was the first to receive the scoreboard. Chesterfield has also approved the bid for a scoreboard, so Parkway West and Parkway Central are next. However, the City of Manchester has yet to approve the building permit,” said Roth.

Senior Connor Urbeck was disappointed by the fact that he couldn’t play his Senior soccer season with a fancy new scoreboard, like the one at Parkway North.

“I thought it was unfair that ourselves and the Parkway South community couldn’t enjoy a new scoreboard in 2015 because the City of Manchester wouldn’t allow the size,” said Urbeck.

The current situation at Parkway South is more of a question of when we will get our scoreboard, rather than if we will. However, this has made many upset that South will be the last to receive the new fancy scoreboard.

“As of right now,the plan is to continue to have discussions with the City of Manchester regarding construction (and size) of the scoreboard. It is our hope to have all four schools with the same video scoreboards,” said Roth.