The brightness of a programmable LED sign near one of Hamburg Area’s elementary schools caused a district resident to address school directors on April 25.
Peggy Padinske, 310 E. Noble Ave., Shoemakersville, spoke at a board meeting for the first time about an issue that she said has existed since the sign’s installation about three years ago.
Padinske told school directors that the sign, located on E. Noble Avenue near Perry Elementary, is so bright at night that it shines through the blinds and curtains in her home and has affected her quality of life.
“It’s like there’s a police car outside of my house with its lights flashing,” she said.
Padinske said that she has addressed the issue in the past with the school’s principal, as well as the district’s director of facilities and technology coordinator, but the problem persists.
“We will continue our ongoing efforts to work with her,” Superintendent Dr. Richard Mextorf said. “We have made accommodations with colors and brightness. We’re not closed off to the time of day (that the sign is on).”
Currently the sign shuts off at 10 p.m. with multiple colors used in its messages.
“The color red is the best, but other colors like blue, green, yellow and white are bad,” Padinske said. “I recommend that the sign be turned off at 6 p.m. so I can enjoy sitting on my front porch or working in my yard.”
Padinske said that she has also spoken with Shoemakersville officials.
“They told me to consider planting bushes nearby (to decrease the brightness),” Padinske said. “This has affected the amount of sleep I get and it can also be a distraction to drivers.”
In other news, school directors approved the Berks Career and Technology Center budget for the 2016-17 school year.
Hamburg Area’s share includes $814,692 for regular education and $65,136 for special needs.
School directors also approved the transfer of $750,000 from the district’s general fund to the capital reserve fund.
The money will be designated for future projects, according to Mextorf.
The next meeting of school directors will be Monday, May 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the James A. Gilmartin Community Room.