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Schools, Cell Towers Don't Mix, Parents Say

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By ADAM EMERSON

aemerson@tampatrib.com

Published: February 11, 2009

TAMPA - Worried about their children's health, about two dozen parents appeared before the school board Tuesday demanding a stop to the practice of placing cell phone towers at schools, regardless of the income it provides.

Emboldened after a South Tampa school nixed its plans to erect a cell tower on its campus, the parents directed their pleas to the school board to rein in plans for others.

Some even wanted to dismantle towers already raised. Parents of students at Pride Elementary School in New Tampa say they felt sandbagged when they found a tower there when the school year started in August.

"This is like a slap in the face," said Mary Meckley, whose child attends second grade at Pride. "If we would have been given a chance, we would have expressed that this is a terrible location for the tower."

Those opposed to the towers say they worry their children could be exposed to hazardous radio frequency emissions. Federal regulations vouch for the safety of the towers, but the parents say no long-term studies exist to support that.

Opponents amassed support from parents at Pride, Cimino and Hunter's Green elementary schools, along with others, saying they don't reject cell phone towers - just cell towers on school grounds.
Leasing space for those towers, however, represents money to a school district forced to cut millions as the economy sours. Pride Elementary alone receives $24,000 a year leasing space to two carriers, Alltel and T-Mobile.

"At a time like this, with one cutback after another, this will provide an excellent opportunity for schools to get more income," said Mike Larson, a Tampa resident who joined several others supporting the placement of the towers.

The school board directed Superintendent MaryEllen Elia to draft an answer to the parents' concerns, but took no action. Principals have the authority to approve a cell tower on school property.

Reporter Adam Emerson can be reached at (813) 259-8285.

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