An example of the size, appearance and location of the message board.

Niverville Collegiate Institute will be getting a new electronic message board.

NCI received approval from Niverville Town Council at the last council meeting to install a four-by-eight feet LED board on the north side of the school, near the main entrance.  NCI principal Michael Koester says they needed to improve their communication with the community as their main method wasn't working.

"The newsletter that we publish monthly doesn't seem to make its way to the home, so we felt we had to find another avenue to explore."

Koester notes the school had been using Niverville Credit Union's message board to convey much of their news.  However, he knows not everyone in Niverville banks at the Credit Union, so many parents still weren't receiving the messages.  Koester explains how the message board will provide a communication improvement.

"The messages will kind of be 'in your face'.  The band reminders, the distribution of report cards, it will be there and advertised.  It will also be up to date and recent, whereas with a monthly newsletter, things change after you publish something a month in advance, and misinformation is out there."

He adds NCI will also be taking steps to protect the sign from vandalism.

"A lot of the schools that purchase these signs also get a special cover installed so when someone tries to vandalize the sign, it is somewhat protected."

Koester attests that because the message board has now been approved by town council, it has become a matter of 'when' the sign will go up, not 'if'.  He notes the next step to prepare for the sign is to make sure all the proper electrical wiring is in place.  However, Koester says it could still take up to a year before everything is finalized and the sign is installed.  The cost of the project will be around $12,000.