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Westmont board approves electronic message board for Westmont High School, limited to school‑related content
Summary
Trustees granted a special‑use permit for an electronic message board at Westmont High School, conditioned on messages being directly related to school activities and complying with the zoning sign regulations; a teacher said the sign is financed by a grant/endowment from a former teacher.
The Village Board approved a special‑use permit for an electronic message board at Westmont High School in the R3 residential district, subject to a condition that messages be directly related to high‑school activities and comply with sign regulations.
Teacher Courtney Templeton, who lives in Oakwood and works at Westmont High School, described the existing sign as limited and said the new board would better communicate school and educational events that occur in the building, some of which draw outside groups and audiences. She said the sign's installation is financed by an endowment established by a former teacher and that the district plans to place a plaque honoring that gift.
When trustees asked whether the sign could be used to advertise third‑party events, Templeton said messages would be explanatory—identifying events taking place in the building—and would be related to the school and district activities rather than general community promotions. The trustees approved the special use by roll call.
Why it matters: The conditional approval balances neighborhood concerns about lighting and off‑site advertising with the school's desire to communicate a wide range of events held in its facilities. The grant funding reduces direct cost to the district.
What happens next: The district will coordinate sign design and installation consistent with the ordinance condition that messages be school‑related and comply with the village sign code.
