Football has always been an integral part of student life at Almaden Valley’s Leland High School. Its alumni include Brent Jones of the San Francisco 49ers and Dan Lloyd of New York Giants. The school’s field is named for another famous alum, Pat Tillman, who turned down a lucrative contract with the Arizona Cardinals to enlist and fight in Afghanistan. Tillman’s death from friendly fire was the subject of a book by Jon Krakauer and the critically acclaimed film The Tillman Story.
But even Leland is suffering from budget cuts. In an effort to recoup some funding, the local school board agreed to replace the flag pole beside the scoreboard with a T-Mobile cell phone tower. In return, the school will receive $2,000 a month for the next five years, for a total of $120,000. The city has already approved the permit.
This has some parents up in arms. “To risk 3,000 plus students’ health for the unknown health effects of a cell tower over $2,000 a month is just an absurd tradeoff in my mind,” says Greg Braley. He notes that the adverse effects could not only impact the health of Leland students, but also students at the adjacent Bret Harte Middle School.
The school board argues that the cell tower is safe and that seven other schools in the city already have cell towers. There is even a cell tower around the corner from the school. What no one seems to be questioning is the issue of removing a flagpole on a sports field dedicated to an American hero who sacrificed his life for his country, and replacing it with a cell phone tower.
South Bay Sports Roundup 
jennifer
Mar 30, 2011 -
“seven other schools in the city already have cell towers” does not mean cell phone tower is safe, does not mean the students,parents and residents want it. They just did not fight strong engouth to stop the installation. Think about this: if the cell towers are decided to be removed from these schools, do you think any students or parents oppose it? I guess they will have a big party to celebrate they eventually can get rid of the tower.
Jane
Apr 8, 2011 -
I agree with Jennifer. None of the Leland family and resident around the school knows when school signs the contract with T-Mobile. I believe the entire parent will stop it. No parents would want their children study with radiation which has possibly potential health risk. School should be safe for our children to avoid visible or potential risk. No resident will agree it which will defiantly reduce their property value. No one will like their house around the cell tower because they can get a better signal.