The limestone sign on North Kinser Pike that reads BLOOMINGTON HIGH SCHOOL NORTH has been there since 1997, so it was a surprise when drivers coming to school saw that our sign was split in two.
A few weeks ago, after heavy rainfall, an individual was driving to North one evening after school. When this student went to take a turn, they slid, going up over the curb and catching the corner of the sign, before being stopped by the small tree behind it. This impact was enough to cause the limestone sign to snap in half.
The sign was built for the 25th anniversary of North. In a 1997 Herald Times article, Andy Graham, a sports writer, introduced the sign. Graham wrote, “When people arrive for next weekend’s 25th Anniversary BHSN Homecoming, they’ll see a school which finally, for the first time, has a sign proclaiming its existence to passers-by.”
This limestone block was a relatively large addition to the developing school and a lot of time and effort went into creating it. Graham said, “Representatives of the [athletic boosters and athletic department] helped fund the new school front-entrance sign, a 3,000-pound edifice. It took a year of organizational effort and direct funding from Mike Taberaux (‘76), Kent MacPhertson (‘72), Bill Hanna, Jr. (‘74), Dreeson, Daniel Bybee (‘74), William W. Buck (‘74), Brewer and Whaley Construction.”
The sign has been here for almost 30 years. Assistant Principal Scott Bless says, “I can only vouch for the last 20 years. It’s been here as long as I have”
One of Bless’s roles is managing North’s facilities. He says, “Obviously it’s going to have to be replaced. We are looking into options for replacing it. Possibly updating to a digital sign that could scroll messages. Right now we’re getting bids and some price quotes to see if that’s doable.”
Digital signs like these are a large investment. They can cost anywhere from $2,000 to over $12,000. Though the school would likely not have to pay for the entire sum, it would still be a big installation.
“I assume that insurance will take care of expenses,” Principle Matthew Stark says, “Between whatever the insurance has, plus the money in the school budget to do certain things like this, we can likely cover the cost.”
The historic sign was simply destroyed by mistake. “I think it was an accident that happened. If I recall, it was a rainy night and a newish driver. So, it was just kind of a bad recipe,” Bless explains.
The destruction of our historic entrance sign that welcomed generations of North students can serve as a reminder to practice driving safety, as well as ending an era and giving us a new and contemporary welcome to the school.
