Verizon, Dist. 214 reach flagpole deal at Wheeling, Elk Grove

The Northwest Suburban High School District 214 school board has approved new flagpoles for Wheeling and Elk Grove high schools that will double as moneymakers.

The contract gives Verizon Wireless the go-ahead to put up large flagpoles with cell phone antennas inside them.

Verizon promises the poles will have eye appeal, and pose no known health risks to the community.

Superintendent David Schuler said the construction start date depends on how long the permit process goes between Verizon and the villages of Elk Grove and Wheeling.

Verizon will pay District 214 a one-time setup fee of $30,000 for each flagpole, plus $2,500 a month rent at each school, with an annual rent increase of 3 percent.

The deal is expected to generate more than $1.5 million for the district over 25 years.

Verizon will also build a storage unit that would double as a new concession stand at each school.

There is also a possibility 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 allows 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 could hold flags as big as 25 feet by 40 feet.