Flagpoles could double as cell phone towers at Elk Grove, Wheeling highs
New flagpoles are proposed for Elk Grove and Wheeling high schools that could actually double as money makers for the district.
Northwest Suburban High School District 214 is considering a contract with Verizon Wireless to construct large flagpoles at the schools' athletic complexes that would have cell phone antennae inside them.
District officials say these would be more pleasing to the eye than other cell phone towers that have been proposed in the past and whose construction around the suburbs has at times prompted angry outcries from residents.
"If you recall the way they used to look, they were fairly unsightly," Superintendent David Schuler said.
Verizon would pay District 214 a one-time setup fee of $30,000 for each flagpole, plus $2,500 a month in rent for each school, with an annual increase of 3 percent.
If OK'd, the deal would generate more than $1.5 million for the district over 25 years.
Verizon would also construct a storage unit that would double as a new concession stand at each school.
Board members said concealing the antenna equipment inside the flagpole made the new proposal more appealing.
"When this came up before ... I voted against it," board President William Dussling said. "The towers had all kinds of erector-set stuff hanging off of it. It was just unsightly. This certainly is new technology."
Board member Lenore Bragaw asked about the safety of the towers placed near areas where large crowds congregate. Schuler said the research the district has seen indicates there the towers pose no known indication health risks.
There is also a possibility for other cell phone service providers could also get space inside the flagpoles. Clearwire Communications and T-Mobile have approached the district for a similar deal at Prospect High School that could generate a similar amount of revenue.
The Verizon deal would allow the district to opt out after 10 years, while the communications company could back out after five years.
The proposed flagpoles would be 85 feet high at Elk Grove and 100 feet at Wheeling. They would fly flags up to 25 feet by 40 feet.
The board is to take action on the issue Oct. 15.