Parents slam cell tower plans

WESLEY CHAPEL - Some parents in Pasco County claim the school district is putting their children's health at risk just to make money.

The allegations come as the school district goes ahead with plans to allow a cell phone company to build a new cell tower outside John Long Middle School in Wesley Chapel.

The parents are angry because they claim the cell towers could be dangerous, especially since they will be operating right out in front of the school.

The parents also say that no one told them about the plans to build the tower.

Maria Laidley says she feels blindsided by the Pasco County School District's plans to lease a small piece of land in front of her son's middle school for a cellular phone tower. Laidley spent Monday morning trying to let others know about the new tower.

"We want to make parents at this school aware that the cell phone tower is happening," she said.

Laidley was one of just four people outside John Long Middle School Monday protesting the new cell tower. She suspects few parents know.

"I couldn't believe they could do it without asking parents or without having some sort of wider vote on it," she said.

The School District insists parents were told about the project.

"There was plenty of discussion about the cell phone tower," according to assistant superintendent David Scanga.

The school board voted to lease the land for a cell for a cell tower last year.

"Since then, the discussion has been here at the school. School advisory council meetings, PTA meetings," Scanga said.

Parents say aside from the fact they were caught by surprise, they complain too little is known about the health risks of cellular phone towers.

"We don't think the school board has done their homework. Until these cell towers have been absolutely beyond a reasonable doubt proven that they are 100 percent safe, they have no place being on our school grounds," said parent Susan Cali.

The school district insists the tower is safe. The district will also collect more than $70,000 a year in rent.