The Gary School Board is weighing a proposal for the construction of cellular towers at two schools in Miller, Banneker at Marquette Elementary and the Gary Middle School.
Crown Castle, a national cell tower firm, offered the district a 50-year lease at $34,800 annually for both schools. The lease would increase by 3% each year.
The board voted Wednesday to table a decision until its Sept. 11 meeting while it gathers more information.
Some residents opposed the cell towers, citing the radiation harm they say radio frequency waves can cause, especially for children. One resident cited a petition he said more than 100 residents had signed opposing the towers.
A Crown Castle representative downplayed the effects of radiation, saying people who keep their cellphones in their pockets probably absorb more radiation than what is emitted from a tower. He said the towers comply with Federal Communications Commission regulations for radiation standards.
He said the tower at Banneker would be about 250 feet from the school and about 800 feet from the Gary Middle School.
Board members asked for more details on towers built near urban schools. Crown Castle has about 40,000 towers across the country and about 4,000 employees.
The Banneker tower would be about 110 to 120 feet high and take up about a 5,000-square-foot fenced, ground area.
The Gary Middle School tower was proposed at 120 to 150 feet high with a similar fenced, ground space as Banneker.
Crown Castle would provide insurance on the towers and be responsible for all permits required.
In other business, Superintendent Yvonne Stokes cited attendance data that showed on Aug. 14, the first day of school, 4,096 students were enrolled. That day’s actual attendance was 2,932 students or 72%.
On Aug. 27, she said enrollment was 4,393, with a daily attendance rate of 82%.
Stokes said students missing five days will trigger a meeting with their family.
A new student support department is visiting the homes of absent students to talk with parents or guardians about why students aren’t in school, she said.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
