Lummi Nation School doesn’t just educate students. It anchors a community. So when aging equipment started demanding constant repairs, they didn’t patch it and move on. They invested in something that would move the entire school forward: a campus-wide digital display solution built to pull students, parents, and the community closer to every game, every event, and every announcement.

“The school is 22 years old now, and all the equipment was getting outdated,” said Solomon Lane, operations and maintenance director. “We were dealing with issues every year, and it was time to move forward.”

The school partnered with a local company, Signs Plus, on the campus-wide Watchfire digital display solution, one of the most comprehensive installations of its kind for a K–12 school. The project outfitted every major venue on campus.

• OUTDOOR SPORTS: At the stadium (football plus track and field) is a 16mm video scoreboard measuring 12’ x 24’.
• INDOOR SPORTS: In the gym are two eight-foot-wide video scoreboards (basketball, volleyball, and wrestling). A third display looms big at 9’ x 16’ and is used for advertising and messages. The gym also includes Watchfire’s video shot clocks and a 10’ digital scorer’s table.
• SCHOOL INTERIOR: Focused on future and flexibility, Lummi Nation School chose a seven-foot-wide indoor sign, using it as both a digital menu board for confessions.
• SCHOOL ENTRANCE: The school added a 4’ x 6’ street-facing visible to the broader community. The high 6mm resolution offers crisp lettering and up-close visibility.

“The goal was really about engagement,” said Jim Sutterfield, owner of Signs Plus. “They wanted to get students, parents, and the community more involved.”

The new displays have transformed the game-day experience. During a recent state basketball tournament, the school live-streamed games in the gym, allowing students to watch and support the Lummi Nation Blackhawks during the school day.

“We were able to stream the game live in the gym, and all the students could sit together and watch,” said Gerald Craft, director of communications. “It was a great opportunity for the whole school to come together.”

Beyond athletics, the displays now drive communication across campus. Digital signage at key locations pushes announcements, event information, and updates directly to students, staff, and parents.

“It’s really helped with communication,” Lane said. “We’re able to share updates and activities much more effectively.”

The system also serves the broader community. On cold or rainy days, tribal elders watch football games from inside the gym on the large video display, giving community members a front-row seat without braving the weather.

The campus-wide installation runs on two of Watchfire’s purpose-built content management systems. The large gymnasium video display, hallway concession signage, and street sign all run on Watchfire’s Ignite OPx software, giving staff an easy way to push messaging and announcements to the right screens at the right time. The gymnasium’s scoring displays run on Ignite Sports software, keeping athletes, coaches, and fans locked in on the action.

Both the school and Signs Plus highlighted Watchfire’s support throughout the project. “Tech support was super helpful,” Craft said. “They walked us through everything and got us up and running.”

For Signs Plus, that reliability is key. “The level of support is unmatched,” Sutterfield said.

By investing in Watchfire digital displays, Lummi Nation School has built a more engaging, connected campus, one that communicates more effectively, elevates every event, and strengthens its ties to the community.