Board Approves School’s Lighted Marquee Over Neighbors’ Objections

Arthur E. Wright Middle School’s plan to install a lighted marquee that opponents claim would disturb the neighborhood and mar the scenery has been approved by the Las Virgenes Unified School District Board of Education.

To appease neighbors, lighting hours will be restricted to the winter months, no later than 7 p.m. The exception would be special events. In such cases, the marquee at the Calabasas school can remain lighted while the event is going on, but must be turned off by 9:30 p.m. Also, the 16-foot-high, 12-foot-wide marquee must be placed in a low-lying area, so it can’t readily be seen from Las Virgenes Road.

The issue follows a controversy that erupted after Calabasas High School installed a marquee without city permits. The issue was resolved amicably, but school district officials vowed to work more closely in the future with city officials and neighbors on projects that impact the community.

In the A. E. Wright matter, board members Tuesday expressed concern that $8,000 in Parent Faculty Club funds were donated for the purchase and installation of the the marquee. Generally, district officials say, such funds are restricted to classroom-related items or programs. They say the school complicated the situation by launching plans to acquire the sign without prior approval from the district.

“I will vote for it, but I have some reservations,” said Board President Barbara Bowman-Fagelson, who questioned whether the school really needs a marquee. “In the future, I would hope that we would follow the guidelines.”

Arthur E. Wright Principal Michael Botsford said parents requested the yet-to-be-installed marquee because they believe it will help keep them informed about upcoming school events and other school matters. Botsford said he believes the marquee will foster school spirit by helping the kids identify more with the school.

“Research clearly shows that schools with a strong sense of student identification and abundant school spirit suffer less vandalism, have a more positive profile in the community and more productive students,” he wrote in a letter to district officials.

In the Calabasas High School matter, city officials objected to the school installing the sign without permits. Environmentalists also complained that the marquee spoiled the area’s scenic beauty.

The city backed off after the district pointed out that, under state law, educational facilities aren’t required to abide by local ordinances. The district, however, agreed to reduce the brightly lighted marquee’s wattage and limit its hours of operation.