San Leandro Unified Moves Forward With Electronic Billboard at Burrell Field

The San Leandro Unified School District is moving forward with plans to erect an electronic billboard at Burrell Field, according to media reports.

The Hayward Daily Review reports that the school board green lighted the project following a public discussion earlier this month — and that the billboard could rake in $8,500 a month.

The money generated by the electronic billboard would help support the operation and maintenance of Burrell Field, the home field for San Leandro High School which is located on Teagarden Street just south of Marina Boulevard next to I-880.

The district will soon begin accepting project proposals. The company selected to erect the billboard will also be responsible for finding advertisers, though there will be restrictions to make sure the ads are appropriate for school grounds, according to the Daily Review.

The size and the direction the billboard will face — if it will point toward I-880, the football field or both ways — will be determined when the project proposals are requested.

According to the Daily Review, Burrell Field is currently undergoing a $16.8 million bond-funded renovation, which includes new synthetic turf, an all-weather track, a scoreboard, field lights, 3,500 seat bleachers, restrooms and more. The bond funds, however, will not be used for the electronic billboard.

San Leandro Unified Superintendent Cindy Cathey told the Daily Review that budget frustrations are leading school districts to find alternative means, such as advertising, to increase school funds.

“This is something that more and more districts are doing so it's not so uncommon as it was before," Cathey told the newspaper.

Read the full Hayward Daily Review report here.