Improving communication between the Richfield Springs Central School
District and community is one of the goals that the Board of Education
and administration set for the 2005-2006 school year. One of the means
that RSCS uses to communicate upcoming events and information is the
message board that stands on the front lawn of RSCS. The present sign
is soon to be replaced by a more efficient and high-tech sign that will
help RSCS in its effort to let the community and passersby be aware of
district information.
According to Randy Moshier, supervisor of building and grounds, the
present sign in front of RSCS is almost 30 years old and has been in
need of replacing for at least five years. Funds to replace the sign
have been placed in the last five school budgets, yet each of those
years the funding was cut in an effort to reduce the total budget. This
year, however, the present sign must come down because the supports are
rotted and weather and vandalism have taken a toll on the present sign.
“The present sign is very ‘labor intensive,’” said Moshier. “The
sign has to be changed by someone on the maintenance staff every time
it’s updated. It takes quite a bit of time to change the message on the
sign, and we purposely don’t update it as much as we should because it
is so time consuming.”
Moshier went on to say that while the sign is being changed, a
strong wind can send the letters flying and it often takes two people
on his staff to remove the protective plastic covering and change the
message. “The wooden posts are rotten and it’s a wonder it hasn’t
self-destructed before now,” he said. “Oftentimes the messages on the
sign are outdated and some events that are listed have passed. We tend
to list things on a month-by-month basis so that we don’t have to
change the sign.”
Work has already begun on the new sign. To reduce the costs, Moshier
and his crew have done much of the preliminary work themselves by
erecting the framework and welding it together. The new sign will allow
messages to be posted on a daily and even hourly basis.
When after school activities are canceled, athletic games postponed,
or the school needs to get the word out as soon as possible, the new
sign will allow that to happen.
“We will be able to update messages directly from computers within
the school,” said Moshier. “When events are over, we can change the
message on the sign with more efficiency and let the community know
what’s happening on a continual basis. That hasn’t taken place with the
new sign.”
“Our new sign is one more opportunity for the district to provide
updated information to the community,” said RSCS Superintendent Robert
Barraco. “Our newsletters and our website development are also ongoing
aspects of our effort to reach the community and connect with them.”
Barraco went on to say that there are times when the need arises to
change schedules and events because of sudden changes in weather or
teams from other schools not being able to travel.
The new sign will be much like those used at athletic events on
scoreboards and will use LED lighting to display its messages. It is
scheduled to make its debut in the very near future.
Bruce Watson is a teacher at RSCS.
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