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Parents press Lake Oswego board for independent study and lease review after new Verizon tower installed near Lakeridge High School
Summary
Patrons told the Lake Oswego School Board a newly installed Verizon colocation 5G tower near Lakeridge High School is too close to homes and school facilities; trustees asked staff to commission independent radio‑frequency readings, review lease break fees and renewal dates, and report options including relocation or buyout.
Parents from the Lakeridge neighborhood urged the Lake Oswego School Board to take immediate action after a newly installed Verizon colocation 5G tower was placed close to homes and a baseball field near Lakeridge High School.
"I am very concerned about the long term health impact to our family, especially our kids," said Annalie Adams, who told the board the tower is about 85 feet from her home and that previous district guidance stated towers are not placed at elementary schools because of health and safety risks. Adams asked whether the district will commission a study that measures cumulative radio‑frequency (RF) exposure from multiple colocations and whether the district has discussed relocation or lease buyouts with providers such as Crown Castle. Ben Adams, another parent, asked the board to form a task force of parents, neighbors, staff and subject‑matter experts to review policy, leases and mitigation options.
Board members responded that they are not RF experts and supported hiring independent, third‑party evaluators. Trustee comments repeatedly pressed for measurements that capture aggregate exposure (not single‑point, off‑peak wand readings), readings taken at bedroom height on private property with owner permission, and vendor neutrality. Several trustees also asked staff and counsel to prepare a contract analysis that identifies upcoming lease renewal dates, potential break fees and the district's legal options. One trustee noted a Verizon lease renewal is anticipated next spring and said the district should be ready to discuss leverage and mitigation before that date.
Trustees flagged a competing obligation: some district sites host cellular equipment that the city and county rely on for emergency communications. The board asked staff to return with a timeline and recommendations that balance community health concerns, contractual obligations and public‑safety needs. Chair (Speaker 1) said the administration will report back with proposed third‑party experts, contract details and a timeline for follow‑up discussions.
