Message board to keep passersby in the loop

By Scott Bellile

A new electronic message center (EMC) sign outside the Hortonville Area School District’s transportation facility will keep parents and community members informed of local happenings.

The EMC that began installation Monday, July 25, is a digital display with the capability of showing short videos. When pieced together, the entire sign will represent the front portion of a school bus.

Harry Steenbock said he wanted a unique sign for the 2-year-old transportation facility on the highly trafficked County Road JJ. Some motorists can’t find the building or pass by not knowing what it is, he said.

“This will give us a little identity, I hope,” Steenbock said. “They definitely should be able to find us now.”

The EMC will alert people of school delays or closures as well as promote upcoming events in HASD and Greenville, Steenbock said. It will be dimmed or shut off at night to save power and as a courtesy to neighbors.

Steenbock said HASD spent “a pretty penny,” approximately $30,000, for the sign. Performing vehicle maintenance in-house and fueling up buses on-site instead of at gas stations helped the transportation department come up with the money.

He said purchasing an EMC over a normal sign supports the district’s mission of using the latest technology for students. It should also remain useful for a long time, he said.