The board voted July 17 to give district staff authority to negotiate with a wireless carrier over a potential cell tower lease at a district parcel near the Bunceled area.

Board discussion clarified the motion does not approve a lease or authorize construction; it authorizes district business staff to pursue negotiations and return any proposed agreement to the board for formal approval. A business manager explained the carrier approached the district and that the likely location is on a portion of district land that the district does not plan to use for school construction because of geographic constraints.

Board members said they support exploring the option if the tower remains in the area indicated on district materials and not moved into more visible or central open areas. One board member described the proposed location as “tucked up close to the road” beyond the baseball and softball fields, and said the proposed siting appeared to be out of the way. Another member said that if the tower moved into a larger open field area that would be problematic.

The motion was moved, seconded and approved by roll call. The board did not vote on any lease terms at the meeting; staff were directed to negotiate and bring any proposed lease back to the board for approval.

Direct quotes and attributions in this article come from board discussion recorded at the July 17 meeting.