School pride added to high school windows

MT. PLEASANT — The Mt. Pleasant Community High School building recently received a face lift with new window decals.

“Hopefully, if you came in the front door, you saw the graphics on windows,” Superintendent John Henriksen said at Monday night’s school board meeting. “We are excited about that.”

According to MPTV-Closeup, the school’s media group, these decals not only provide school spirit, but they also provide added security and environmental benefits.

The new screens display Mt. Pleasant’s “MP” logo, panther eyes, and the school colors to better distinguish the building as the proud home of the Mt. Pleasant Panthers.

“The screening is one-way view only,” they wrote in a Facebook post. “Outsiders can no longer see directly into the common parts of the building during the school day.”

Additionally, the screens block some of the sun entering the building. With this, it takes less energy to cool the building on those hot, sunny days.

During the school board meeting, Henriksen spoke with the board and Mt. Pleasant High School Michael Wilson about additional endeavors for building signage.

“Mr. Wilson has been working on some additional signage,” Henriksen said. “I just wanted to share it with you, but it is not on the agenda for approval tonight.”

According to Henriksen, he simply wanted to get the board’s thoughts on the potential project of an illuminated “MP” sign for the school.

Wilson stated that he has been working with a couple different companies to get an idea for what something like this might cost as an illuminated and not illuminated sign.

“In talking with both companies, they said that illuminated is the best way to go in a situation like this because it's not that much more to make that happen,” Wilson said. “One of the companies I work with just sent me a picture of the new illuminated sign at West Branch High School.”

As for the sign Mt. Pleasant High School is looking into, Wilson says, “The dimensions of that sign are about six feet wide and about seven tall and it would go right up there on the front facing part of the corner of the band room right in there.”

Wilson stated that the intent is to update the school and bring more vibrancy.

In these early phases of research, Wilson believes the signage would cost approximately $5,700, though board members did point out that it would likely require some permits from the city, especially if it were illuminated.

While the board did not vote on anything concerning the possible additional sign, they did agree that Wilson should continue to gather information so they further consider the idea.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com