Daktronics, Inc. Form 11-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


__________________________________


FORM 11-K

(Mark One)

[X]       ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the plan year ended April 30, 2003

OR

[  ]       TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number 0-23246

Daktronics, Inc. 401(k) Plan
(Full title of the plan)


__________________________________


Daktronics, Inc.
(Name of issuer of the of the securities held pursuant to the plan)


331 32nd Avenue  
Brookings, SD 57006 57006
(Address of principal executiv (Zip Code)

William R. Retterath
Chief Financial Officer
Daktronics, Inc.
331 32nd Avenue
Brookings, South Dakota 57006
(605) 697-4000
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)




DAKTRONICS, INC. 401(k) PLAN
FORM 11-K
For the Plan Year Ended April 30, 2003

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
  1  

STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
     APRIL 30, 2003, DECEMBER 31, 2002 AND DECEMBER 31, 2001
  2  
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
     FOUR-MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2003 AND TWELVE-MONTHS ENDED
     DECEMBER 31, 2002
  3  

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
  4  

SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR) —
     APRIL 30, 2003
  7  

SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR) —
     DECEMBER 31, 2002
  8  

SIGNATURES
  9  

EXHIBITS INDEX
 

    Ex. 23.1   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
  11  
    Ex. 32.1   CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO
                         SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
  12  
    Ex. 32.2   CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO
                         SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
  13  


i




REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

The Plan Administrator
Daktronics, Inc. 401(k) Plan

        We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of Daktronics, Inc. 401(k) Plan as of April 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, and the related statements of changes in net assets available for benefits for the four-month period April 30, 2003 and the year ended December 31, 2002, respectively. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

        We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

        In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan at April 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, and changes in its net assets available for benefits for the four-month period and the year then ended, respectively, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

        Our audits of the Plan’s financial statements as of and for the four-month period and the year ended April 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively, were made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental schedules of assets (held at end of year) as of April 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002 are presented for the purpose of additional analysis and are not a required part of the financial statements but are supplementary information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. These supplemental schedules are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. The supplemental schedules have been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the financial statements for the four-month period April 30, 2003 and the year ended December 31, 2002, respectively, and, in our opinion, are fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the financial statements taken as a whole.

         /s/   Ernst & Young LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota
October 23, 2003



1




DAKTRONICS, INC. 401(k) PLAN
STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS AS OF
APRIL 30, 2003, DECEMBER 31, 2002
AND DECEMBER 31, 2001

April 30,
2003

December 31,
2002

December 31,
2001

ASSETS                
Investments at fair value  
    Daktronics, Inc. common stock   $ 15,289,435   $ 14,738,659   $ 9,773,548  
    Mutual funds    8,517,706    8,303,935    8,437,428  
    Money market mutual fund    680,559    395,897    599,060  
    Common/collective trusts    759,747    459,730      
    Participant notes receivable    473,077    360,161    352,222  



          Total investments    25,720,524    24,258,382    19,162,258  




Receivables
  
    Employers contributions    42,003    148,807    207,527  
    Employees contributions        56,346    57,657  
    Accrued interest    853    82    3,713  
    Pending commission reimbursement            1,084  



     42,856    205,235    269,981  




Cash
    16,151    143,797      



          Total assets     25,779,531    24,607,414    19,432,239  



LIABILITIES   
Cash overdraft            60,299  
Excess contributions payable    22,457    22,457    10,839  
Trustee fees payable            100  



          Total liabilities     22,457    22,457    71,238  



Net assets available for benefits    $ 25,757,074   $ 24,584,957   $ 19,361,001  




See accompanying notes to financial statements.



2




DAKTRONICS, INC. 401(k) PLAN
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS FOR THE
FOUR-MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2003
AND TWELVE-MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002

April 30,
2003

December 31,
2002

Additions to net assets attributed to:            
      Investment income  
          Net appreciation in fair value of investments   $ 927,940   $ 4,228,270  
          Interest and dividends    59,010    261,636  


     986,950    4,489,906  


      
Contributions:
  
          Employer    160,538    418,606  
          Participants    522,180    1,640,625  


     682,718    2,059,231  


          Total additions     1,669,668    6,549,137  



Deductions from net assets attributed to:
  
      Benefits paid to participants    495,676    1,268,154  
      Administrative expenses    1,875    3,025  
      Other        54,002  


          Total deductions     497,551    1,325,181  


          Net increase     1,172,117    5,223,956  

Net assets available for benefits:
  
      Beginning of year    24,584,957    19,361,001  


      End of year   $ 25,757,074   $ 24,584,957  



See accompanying notes to financial statements.



3




DAKTRONICS, INC. 401(k) PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1.    SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

        Nature of business of Plan Sponsor: Daktronics, Inc. (the "Company") and its subsidiaries, the sponsoring employer companies, are engaged principally in the design, manufacture, and sales of computer-programmable information display systems.

        Basis of Accounting: The accompanying financial statements are prepared on the accrual basis of accounting.

        Use of estimates: The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

        Investment valuation and income recognition: The Daktronics, Inc. 401(k) Plan (the “Plan”) investments are stated at fair value as determined by quoted market prices on the last business day of the Plan period. Participant notes receivable are valued at their outstanding balances, which approximates fair value.

        Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

        Payment of benefits: Benefits are recorded when paid.

Note 2.    INFORMATION REGARDING THE PLAN

        The following description of the Plan provides only general information. Participants should refer to the Plan agreement for a more complete description of the Plan’s provisions.

        General: The Plan is a defined contribution plan providing benefits for substantially all employees of Daktronics, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the Company) who have attained 21 years of age and have completed one year of service. Notwithstanding to preceding employees are eligible to make salary deferrals to the Plan upon completion of three months of service and attainable at 21 years of age. The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).

        Plan amendments: Effective May 1, 2001, the Plan was amended to change the Plan year-end from April 30 to December 31. Effective January 1, 2002, the Plan was amended to restrict employee deferrals to the maximum amount allowed for Federal rules. Effective December 1, 2002, the Plan was amended and restated to change the eligibility provisions, employer contribution provisions, and various other provisions. Effective January 1, 2003, the Plan was amended to change the Plan year-end from December 31 to April 30.

        Contributions: Employees who elect to participate in the Plan may contribute up to 100% (up to 15% in 2002) of their compensation (defined by the Plan) subject to limitations described in the Plan. Participants may also contribute amounts representing distributions from other qualified plans.

        The Company also makes contributions to the Plan. Prior to December 1, 2002, the Plan contained a mandatory employee contribution requirement equal to 25% of the employee contribution plus a discretionary contribution provision. Effective December 1, 2002, the Plan allowed for discretionary contributions. Employer contributions occurring since December 1, 2002 have been in the form of Company stock which participants are prohibited from selling until they are fully vested in the contributions. Prior to December 1, 2002, only the contributions required under the Plan were in the form of company stock which participants were not allowed to redirect into other investment alternatives.

        Participants accounts: Each participant’s account is credited with the participant’s contribution and allocations of (a) the Company’s contribution and, (b) Plan earnings, and is charged with an allocation of administrative expenses. Allocations are based on participant earnings or account balances, as defined. The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefits that can be provided from the participant’s vested account.



4




        Vesting: Participants are immediately vested in their voluntary contributions, including rollover contributions from other qualified plans, plus actual earnings thereon. The remainder of their accounts are vested according to the number of years of continuous service. In general, the employee’s accounts become fully vested after five years of credited service, vesting at the rate of twenty percent per year commencing after one year of service.

        Payment of benefits: The participant’s benefits are based on the amount in the individual’s account and the vesting policy described above. On termination of service, participants receive their vested benefits in a lump sum amount as soon as administratively practicable.

        Investment fund information: Participants may individually direct employee contributions in various mutual funds and in Daktronics, Inc. common stock.

        Participants may change their investment options daily.

        Participant loans: Participants may borrow from their accounts up to a maximum equal to the lessor of $50,000 or 50 percent of their vested account balance. Loan transactions are treated as a transfer to (from) the investment funds from (to) the participant notes fund. Loan terms range from one to five years, or longer for the purchase of a primary residence. The loans are secured by the balance in the participant’s account and bear interest at rates commensurate with local prevailing rates as determined quarterly by the plan administrator. Principal and interest is paid ratably no less than quarterly through payroll deductions.

        Forfeited accounts: During the four-month period and year ended April 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002 forfeitures due to the non-vested accounts of terminated participants of $1,152 and $13,577 were used to reduce employer contributions.

        The Company paid $1,875 and $3,024 in administrative expenses for the trustee, accounting and legal fees for the Plan during the four-months and year ended April 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively. If not paid by the Company, such expenses become the responsibility of the Plan.

Note 3.    INVESTMENTS

        During the four-month period ended April 30, 2003 and the year ended December 31, 2002, the Plan’s investments (including investments purchased, sold as well as held during the year) appreciated (depreciated) in fair value as determined by quoted market prices as follows:

Four-month
period ended
April 30,
2003

Year-ended
December 31,
2002

Net Appreciation for plan assets at fair value     $ 927,940   $ 4,228,270  


        Investments that represent 5% or more of the fair value Plan's net assets as of April 30, 2003, December 31, 2002 and December 31, 2001 are as follows:

April 30,
2003

December 31,
2002

December 31,
2001

Investments, at fair value:                
   Daktronics, Inc. common stock   $ 15,289,435   $ 14,738,659   $ 9,773,548  
   American Funds Capital Income Builder Fund            1,340,618  
   American Funds The Investment Company of  
            America Fund    2,700,439    2,639,164    2,961,300  
   American Funds The Growth Fund of America Fund    1,417,419    1,567,614    1,605,529  
   American Funds Euro Pac Growth Fund    1,400,038    1,396,305    1,547,400  
   Other Funds    657,646    454,817    982,581  
   MFS Total Return Fund    1,413,298    1,470,737      


5




        Information about the net assets and the significant components of changes in net assets related to the non-participant-directed investment is as follows:

April 30,
2003

December 31,
2002

Investments, at fair value:            
       Daktronics, Inc. Common Stock   $ 15,289,435   $ 14,738,659  



Four-months
ended
April 30,
2003

Year ended
December 31,
2002

Change in net assets:  
       Contributions     $ 460,587   $ 935,549  
       Net realized and unrealized appreciation in fair value    770,642    5,397,215  
       Distributions to participants    (680,453 )  (1,367,653 )


    $ 550,776   $ 4,965,111  


Note 4.    PLAN TERMINATION

        Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, the Company has the right under the Plan to discontinue contributions at any time and to terminate the Plan subject to the provisions of ERISA. In the event of plan termination, participants will become 100 percent vested in their accounts.

Note 5.    TAX STATUS

        The Plan Sponsor has not received a determination letter on their adoption of the nonstandardized prototype plan. In accordance with the Revenue Procedure 2002-6, the Plan Sponsor has chosen to rely on the current opinion letter that has been issued to the prototype. Once qualified, the Plan is required to operate in conformity with the code to maintain its qualification. The Plan Sponsor believes the Plan is being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Code, and therefore, believes that the Plan is qualified and the related trust is tax exempt.

Note 6.    RECONCILIATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO FORM 5500

        The following is a reconciliation of net assets available for benefits per the financial statements at December 31, 2001 to the Form 5500:

Net assets available for benefits per the financial statements     $ 19,361,001  
Amounts allocated to withdrawing participants    37,987  

Net assets available for benefits per the Form 5500   $ 19,323,014  



6




DAKTRONICS, INC. 401(k) PLAN
EIN-460306862 PLAN
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i
SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
APRIL 30, 2003

Identity of Issue, Borrower,
Lessor, or Similar Party

Shares
Cost
Current Value
Daktronics, Inc. Common Stock*       1,080,216   $ 3,195,023   $ 15,289,435  

Wells Fargo Stable Return Fund*
    22,230    750,998    759,747  
Pimco Total Return Fund    85,374    923,532    928,865  
American Funds Euro Pacific Growth    61,540    1,800,196    1,400,038  
Growth Fund of America    72,725    1,750,337    1,417,419  
American Investment Comp America    13,036    5,237,196    2,700,439  
Lord Abbett Mid-Cap Value Fund    6,634    93,442    99,711  
MFS Total Return    105,234    1,412,262    1,413,298  
T Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth Fund    1,046    32,535    34,450  
T Rowe Price Small Capitalization    21,789    479,714    478,496  
Wells Fargo Index Fund*    1,220    44,235    44,991  


      12,524,447   9,277,454

Wells Fargo Short-term Money Market Fund*
    680,559 $ 680,559   $ 680,559  

Participants notes receivables,
with interest rates ranging from
4.25% to 10.5%, maturing through
  
January, 2013       $ 473,077   $ 473,077  


         $ 16,873,105   $ 25,720,526  


*Indicates a party-in-interest to the plan.



7




DAKTRONICS, INC. 401(k) PLAN
EIN-460306862 PLAN
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i
SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
DECEMBER 31, 2002

Identity of Issue, Borrower,
Lessor, or Similar Party

Shares
Cost
Current Value
Daktronics, Inc. Common Stock*       1,101,544   $ 2,692,084   $ 14,738,659  

Wells Fargo Stable Return Fund*
    13,647    457,981    459,730  
Pimco Total Return Fund    72,662    786,926    775,298  
American Funds Euro Pacific Growth    60,788    1,811,836    1,396,305  
Growth Fund of America    84,873    2,089,514    1,567,614  
American Investment Comp America    112,401    5,331,007    2,639,164  
Lord Abbett Mid-Cap Value Fund    1,304    19,887    20,066  
MFS Total Return    110,832    1,489,347    1,470,737  
T Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth Fund    106    3,275    3,290  
T Rowe Price Small Capitalization    19,767    441,375    425,029  
Wells Fargo Index Fund*    183    6,403    6,433  


      12,437,551   8,763,666

Wells Fargo Short-term Money Market Fund*
    395,897   $ 395,897   $ 395,897  

Participants notes receivables,
with interest rates ranging from
4.25% to 10.5%, maturing through
  
December, 2007       $ 360,161   $ 360,161  


         $ 15,885,695   $ 24,258,382  


*Indicates a party-in-interest to the plan.



8




SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

    DAKTRONICS, INC. 401(k) PLAN  
   

By:  /s/   William R. Retterath
 
    Name:  William R. Retterath
Title:   Chief Financial Officer
 

Date: October 27, 2003

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Plan Administrator is responsible for administering the Daktronics, Inc. 401(k) Plan has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Brookings, state of South Dakota, on this 27th day of October, 2003.

    DAKTRONICS, INC. 401(k) PLAN  
   

By:  /s/   Carla S. Gatzke
 
    Name:  Carla S. Gatzke
Daktronics, Inc.
Title:   Plan Administrator
 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints James B. Morgan and William R. Retterath, or either of them, his or her attorney-in-fact, each with the power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments (including all post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to sign any registration statement for the same offering covered by this registration statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, and all post-effective amendments thereto, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature Title Date

By

/s/ James B. Morgan
James B. Morgan
 
Chief Executive Officer & Director
(principal executive officer)
 
October 27, 2003
 

By

/s/   William R. Retterath
William R. Retterath
 
Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial and
accounting officer)
 
October 27, 2003
 

By

/s/   Aelred J. Kurtenbach
Aelred J. Kurtenbach
 
Director
Chairman of the Board
 
October 27, 2003
 


9





By

/s/   Roland J. Jensen
 
Director
 
October 27, 2003
 
  Roland J. Jensen 

By

/s/   Frank J. Kurtenbach
 
Director
 
October 27, 2003
 
  Frank J. Kurtenbach 

By

/s/   John L. Mulligan
 
Director
 
October 27, 2003
 
  John L. Mulligan 

By

/s/   Robert G. Dutcher
 
Director
 
October 27, 2003
 
  Robert G. Dutcher 

By

/s/   Duane E. Sander
 
Director
 
October 27, 2003
 
  Duane E. Sander 

By

/s/   Nancy D. Frame
 
Director
 
October 27, 2003
 
  Nancy D. Frame 

By

/s/   James A. Vellenga
 
Director
 
October 27, 2003
 
  James A. Vellenga 


10