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Parents and residents press Parkland board for answers and action on proposed Project Atlas data center
Summary
Multiple residents and parents urged the Parkland School District board to publicly oppose Project Atlas, a proposed hyperscale data center across from Parkland High School, citing student safety, noise, heat-island effects, property-value risks and a need for clearer district communication and advocacy.
Parents, residents and district staff pressed the Parkland School District Board of Education on July 21 to be more public and proactive about Project Atlas, a proposed hyperscale data center sited directly across from Parkland High School.
Karen Lowry, a Parkland alum and Pennsylvania-certified prevention and education specialist, told the board the community has focused on engineering and infrastructure but that the board must prioritize children: “When people talk about Project Atlas, they often talk about acreage, square footage, megawatts, substations, and infrastructure. I see something different, the students.” She asked the board to publicly advocate for students and families and to seek answers about how the proposal could affect students’ wellbeing before the project proceeds.
Several other speakers raised related concerns. Dwight Adam warned that data-center equipment and 24/7 cooling fans create continuous low-frequency noise and intermittent generator rumbling that he said can harm concentration and learning, as well as the health of vulnerable populations. Kathleen Bruno said nearby property values and the district’s reputation are at risk, and she cited a developer public relations claim that the district could receive $16,000,000 annually in taxes if the project proceeds. George Rivera asked the board to publish what it already knows about Atlas, to provide a timeline for updates, and to share the specific questions the district has submitted to the township and developer.
Superintendent Dr. Madsen responded during the board’s round table that the district has already taken formal steps: in early May he said the administration sent a letter to South Whitehall Township, the developer, PPL and LCA outlining the district’s concerns about the initial Atlas proposal and that the district has participated in township review meetings. He said experts have been engaged to review issues including heat islands and low-frequency noise and that the administration will send a follow-up notice to the township on the latest submission. Dr. Madsen said the district’s administrative stance on the initial proposal has been clear: the proposal as submitted is not acceptable next to the high school, and the board will discuss options once a clearer proposal is available.
Board members thanked residents for coming and said they are working through appropriate next steps, including follow-up communications with township officials and continued review. Several speakers urged the board to hold a work session or publish a public FAQ outlining District questions, safety concerns and the timeline for review.
The board did not take a new, formal vote on Project Atlas at the meeting; the superintendent described prior written submissions to the township and said the district would continue to engage as new materials are submitted.
