Wheelabrator a gym-dandy for Saugus High

SAUGUS – The Saugus High School gym may be getting a new scoreboard after the School Committee voted Thursday night to accept the donation from Wheelabrator Technologies.According to Superintendent Richard Langlois, the new scoreboard will provide better score keeping for sports like volleyball and wrestling, while Athletic Director Mike Nelson said it will be twice the size.?The current scoreboard is only specific to basketball,” said Langlois. “It?s updated and the other one is 20 years old ? Also attached to it is a teleprompter used for informing students at games of upcoming events and outcomes of games in other athletics.”Langlois said the scoreboard cost between $15,000 and $17,000, and noted there won?t be any advertising displayed on it. The old scoreboard will be moved into the back gym, he said.?There is no expectation of advertisement on the scoreboard but an acknowledgment like a plaque similar to what we do with other donors,” said Langlois. “They?ll be treated no differently than any other donor. We?re excited for the opportunity.Langlois said Wheelabrator will, however, get a full page on the boys and girls basketball programs.?It?s quite a contribution,” said Langlois. “All across the board they?ve been generous.”The scoreboard isn?t a definite, however, as School Committee Chairman Wendy Reed noted the Board of Selectmen must approve any donations of $500 or more.The committee also approved waivers to allow middle school students to participate in high school boys and girls track, boys and girls basketball, and boys wrestling, hockey and lacrosse.?I think it?s great to give them an opportunity to play and expand our teams,” said Reed.In other business, Langlois updated the board on the statement of interest for a new high school. Langlois said a 2002 study of the high school was outdated and a new one would be needed. Langlois also said applications from the Massachusetts School Building Authority will be open from January through April.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].