Goodrich-The district finally has a sign.
On Sept. 22 representatives of Apex Sign Group of Flint razed the old sign and installed the new marque just before Goodrich Homecoming. The three line scrolling message sign worked for a moment that went black.
Since then company officials have been grappling with how to get the remotely-programmed light emitting diode (LED) message system up and running’including contacting the manufacturers regarding the troubles with the project.
After several failed attempts since September, on Dec. 6 the sign came to life after new antennas and a booster that would send a message at a higher intensity corrected the problem.
Bill Duso, high school teacher and sign operator, was pleased with the new sign and the potential of the new message board.
‘From the time of day to temperatures to sporting events the sign is for the Goodrich area school district.?
An agreement with The Coca-Cola Company funded the project for the district. The sign does not include the Coca-Cola or the Apex insignia, however both company names, will be displayed once a year.
The five-year agreement specifies The Coca-Cola Company provides the school a one-time payment of $20,000, plus five annual payments of $3,750 for the sign in exchange for selling Coke products’including soda, diet soda, low-caffeine soda, and water’in vending machines throughout the Goodrich district, like the district has done for the past five years.
Vending machines are hooked to timers, preventing student access during inappropriate hours. The contract specifies funds can’t be used elsewhere in the budget.