Plum School Board has backed off a proposal to enter into a 10-year contract with Pepsi that would have given money and a scoreboard to the district.
Instead, board members voted 6-2 to re-sign with Pepsi in a five-year exclusive deal from July 1 through June 30, 2011, minus the scoreboard.
Board members Linda Eazor and Thomas McGough voted no. Board member Kris Traficanti did not attend the Nov. 21 meeting.
The district has had a contract with Pepsi since July 2001, when officials inked a five-year deal that netted Plum $55,000 up front and $5,000 each year for a total contract price of $80,000.
Officials said the five-year deal, with $16,000 in annual payments from the cola company, is more palatable because of the length of the term.
Eazor said a 10-year term, which would have expired on June 30, 2016, was too long.
"I don't want to tie future board members' hands," Eazor said.
The proposed 10-year contract, in addition to $16,000 a year, would have netted Plum a $3,500 scoreboard for a soccer field.
Board President Jeffrey Matthews said the scoreboard was not enough of an enticement to make him support the 10-year contract proposal.
"Ten years is too long for $3,500," Matthews said.
Board member Paul Olijar said too many unknowns exist to sign onto a 10-year contract with Pepsi.
"It may be more lucrative in five years," Olijar said.
"I wouldn't sign 10-year contracts with the unions (representing district employees)," Olijar added.
Board member Daniel Lioy said though the contract is with Pepsi, the cola company fills the district's vending machines with healthy drinks, such as juices.
