TALLMADGE, Ohio (WOIO) — Tallmadge City Schools is pushing back against social media claims that the district banned spirit signs from utility poles around the community.
In a statement released Tuesday, the district said it never created a rule prohibiting the signs, nor did it decide they couldn’t remain on the poles. Instead, the district says Ohio Edison contacted local officials after receiving public complaints about the signs.
Utility cites safety concerns
According to documentation posted by the district on social media, a representative for FirstEnergy, Ohio Edison’s parent company, emailed the district on Aug. 20, saying the company had “recently received complaints from members of the public regarding spirit signs that have been placed on electric utility poles within the city of Tallmadge.”
The email said drilling holes or fastening materials to the poles “can compromise their structural integrity and create safety concerns,” and asked the district to have the signs removed as soon as possible.
The company’s policy also cites the National Electrical Safety Code, which states signs and other attachments “shall not be placed on supporting structures without concurrence of the owner.”
The district says it had no choice but to comply once notified.
“The District cannot knowingly direct students, families, coaches or staff to disregard the property owner’s requirements simply because signs may have been placed on utility poles in previous years without objection,” the statement read.
Full statement to 19 News from First Energy:
We know these signs are a longstanding tradition and a source of pride for students, families and the community. We value the school spirit they represent and understand how meaningful this tradition is to many people.
Our policies do not allow signs or other materials to be attached to utility poles because drilling, fastening or other unauthorized modifications can create safety and maintenance concerns. When the signs attached to our poles came to our attention, we addressed the matter in accordance with these longstanding safety guidelines.
We appreciate the community’s understanding and remain committed to supporting the communities we serve while maintaining a safe and reliable electric system.
First Energy
Parents behind the signs
Football parents nailed dozens of signs reading messages such as “Friday night we fight” and “Leave it all on the field” into power poles throughout Tallmadge.
Brianne Blatt’s son is a senior on the football team this year. She and other moms made the signs to build school spirit.
“I saw the sign that has your son’s number on it,” Blatt remarked what citizens told her. “Or I saw the sign with the pancake, or the lost dog sign or whatever. So absolutely, people see them.”
The district said it did not put the signs up and tried to find out who did. At first, no parents came forward.
Blatt and the other moms eventually claimed the signs as their own after the district warned players would be sent around town to tear them down themselves.
No timeline for removal
There is currently no timeline to take the signs down.
Asked whether the plan is to keep the signs up until another solution is found, Blatt said, “Yeah, I think so.”
Blatt said this is a big football season for her family.
“With the new conference we’re pretty excited about hopefully having a better record than years before,” Blatt said. “My son’s a senior, so we’re embracing all of the senior things.”
Mogadore has the same sign tradition. It is unknown whether Ohio Edison has also asked that town to remove its signs. The signs in Tallmadge are staying up for now.
19 News has reached out to FirstEnergy.