Wayland Union Schools uses public improvement funds from Gun Lake Casino revenue sharing to improve the district’s facilities every summer.

This year, the district plans to install new digital signs at all school buildings, replace select scoreboards, and replace remaining interior fluorescent light bulbs with LED.

The school buildings now have message signs that require manually changing the letters, which is difficult in the winter months and limits them to only one message. With new digital signs, each building can add multiple messages using an app on a designated computer.

The new digital signs will use the existing sign structure that will be refurbished to include a new electronic LED display. Digital signs are now the norm for most school districts.

The signs on average last about 12-15 years. The project will cost $144,822 and will be completed before the new school year.

New scoreboards will be installed at the soccer stadium, football stadium, and softball and baseball diamonds.  Some of the current signs are 20 years old. The new scoreboards will use LED lighting and will cost $57,100.

The schools’ continuing efforts to improve energy efficiency will complete the final phase of replacing all fluorescent bulbs with energy efficient LED lights. Some areas were replaced a few years ago and after this summer all district lighting will be LED. This will dramatically reduce the electric costs and improve lighting.

The project will cost $77,000 for 8,000 LED light bulbs and the labor to change them out.

“We are always looking at ways to improve energy efficiency and communication,” said Norm Taylor, Superintendent, “completing these projects will bring lasting impact to both of these areas.”

Additional summer projects include new carpeting in the B Wing hallway at the high school, a new drop ceiling in the auxiliary gym and E wing hallways, and new exterior doors on the north side of the high school.