Newtown High School principal Charles Dumais says he'd like to put an electronic sign outside the building that could project announcements, updates and other news for parents and students throughout the day.
Dumais presented his idea -- still in its infancy -- to the Board of Education last night. It could give the NHS community a real-time method to find out what's going on, he said.
"Certainly we send out e-mails, and we have the blog," he said. "But when you drive by, there could be positive messages about the wonderful things that go on in school."
The sign would be either one-sided or two-sided, and could be placed on the median at the school's entrance to be visible to drivers on Route 34 and those entering the school.
Board member Keith Alexander said he was skeptical until he realized the sign could update parents on the school's schedule.
"You could announce a B day or a half day," he said. "Suddenly it seemed like a very valuable thing. It definitely looks like a lot of useful information."
Dumais guessed the 7' by 6' sign could cost between $8,000 and $20,000, but said that's not an official estimate by any means. The PTSA would help raise funds, and no money would be taken from the budget, he said.
Dumais said he plans to take up the issue with the town's planning and zoning department and return to the Board of Education afterward.
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