02/09/2026
Cellular Tower Lease Renewal: What the Community Should Know
Tolleson Union High School District (TUHSD)
At our most recent TUHSD Governing Board meeting, the proposed 10-year renewal of a cellular tower lease resulted in a 2–2–1 vote (2 yes, 2 no, 1 abstention), meaning the motion did not pass. Because of that outcome, the item is being brought back for reconsideration at our next board meeting, depending on the abstaining vote. The public deserves clear, straightforward information about why this decision matters.This is not just one tower and not a short-term issue. TUHSD currently has five cellular towers across seven campuses. The tower at Westview High School has already been on campus for about 20 years. Renewing the lease would allow it to remain for up to 30 years total, which is a significant land-use and governance decision involving public school property. It’s important to clarify: school operations do NOT depend on this tower. District internet comes through wired connections like fiber, and school Wi-Fi runs on district-owned routers and access points. Cell phones work within networks of towers, not a single site. If this tower were removed, district internet, Wi-Fi, and classroom technology would continue to function. Internationally, radiofrequency (RF) exposure is classified as “possibly carcinogenic,” meaning the science is not settled, especially for long-term exposure involving children. Because of this uncertainty, many countries treat schools, hospitals, daycares, community centers, and homes as sensitive locations and apply additional precautions. The U.S. does not apply separate standards for schools, and current federal guidelines were developed in the 1990s. The proposed lease also provides limited control to the district, with long-term obligations and few exit options, affecting future boards’ decision-making authority. As a Governing Board, our responsibility is to protect students, steward public land, and uphold our fiduciary duty. Long-term private infrastructure on school property deserves careful public review.
This item will be discussed at the February 10th, 6:00 PM TUHSD Governing Board meeting.