On Monday, Fort Bend ISD trustees narrowly approved adding cellphone towers at four locations, including two middle schools and an elementary school. It comes months after they approved putting several others at schools, including Walker Station Elementary.
Anna Lykoudis-Zafiris lives nearby Walker Station Elementary. She said she was unaware of the plans until a newsletter arrived showing a 100-foot tower would be constructed next to the school's track, and portable classrooms starting in August.
"We didn't ask for it," Lykoudis-Zafiris said. "We weren't told about it, and our concerns are being dismissed and that's infuriating."
Documents show the district currently has nine towers. Board President Kristin Tassin said during Monday's meeting they've been on campuses for years.
"We've been putting cellphone towers on school properties for 30 years," Tassin said. "This is not a new thing for us."
Documents show prior to Monday, the district had a dozen towers in the works at Bowie Middle School, Crockett Middle School, First Colony Middle School, Travis High School, Walker Station Elementary School, Lantern Lane Elementary School, Leonetti Elementary School, Schiff Elementary School, Settler's Way Elementary School, Sienna Crossing Elementary School, Fort Settlement Middle School, and PFC Building Site.
On Monday, trustees passed an item four to three to add four more towers at Old Kempner Stadium, Garcia Middle School, Sartartia Middle School and Patterson Elementary School. Documents show once complete, the district will receive $60,000 in rent at the four locations.
Parents said despite the revenue, they're worried about home property values, and their children's health.
"While this data is still progressing, I think it's preliminary irresponsible of our school board members to risk the potential health issues," Lykoudis-Zafiris said.
University of Houston electrical and computing engineering professor David Jackson said the structures transmit low levels of radiation. He said even if a school is nearby, they beam a signal above the property, and not directly below.
"Does that mean it's 100 percent safe? Nobody can say that for sure," Jackson explained. "There have been a lot of studies going on in the past and still going on now and it's controversial. If there is any kind of effect it's at a very, very low level."
Jackson said holding a phone near your head gives you more exposure than cellphone towers. He said there are most likely other devices in your home that give you exposure as well.
"If you have let's say a child standing in a playground where there's a cellphone tower nearby, I would say their level of exposure is about the same as they would get if they were inside their house with a Wi-Fi router in the same room," Jackson explained.
Parents said it's not just health concerns, but transparency. Trustees approved towers at several schools, including Walker Station Elementary nearly a year ago, but haven't held a public hearing with nearby neighbors.
During Monday's meeting, trustees learned public hearings will take place. A Walker Station meeting will take place on Aug. 24. At First Colony Middle School, the meeting is scheduled for Aug. 25.
The Bowie Middle School hearing is scheduled for Aug. 26. Travis High School will have a hearing on Aug. 27 and Crockett Middle School's hearing will take place on Aug. 28.
School leaders said the meetings will start at 5 p.m.
While hearings are scheduled to take place, parents are upset they come after the towers were approved, and construction will begin.
"Shame on the board members who approved this and shame on continuing to bury your head in the sand and not provide the public and accountability we deserve," Lykoudis-Zafiris said.
ABC13 reached out to the district about the board's decision. Eyewitness News didn't receive a response.
Board President Tassin said on Monday not only will this generate revenue, but will boost service. "We do want our kids and staff to have connectivity," Tassin said. "If there's an emergency, especially. Heaven forbid we have one, but we want our children to be able to call out."
District leaders didn't say when construction could start at the four approved sites during Monday's meeting.