By Andrea Calcagno
 
February 8, 2010
 
EAGLE POINT, Ore. - The Eagle Point School Board is expected to decide this week whether to put a cell phone tower on school property.
 
AT&T is asking Jackson County School District No. 9 to put a cell phone tower in the corner of the Eagle Point High School football field. The tower would replace one of the football flood light posts and still provide lighting. Under the proposed plan, the school district will own the cell tower and lease it to AT&T for $1,000 a month, with a five-year up front payment option of $60,000.
 
Jackson County commissioners approved the plan in December and discussed the possibility of other carriers potentially leasing from the same tower, bringing the district additional revenue.
 
Some Eagle Point parents are circulating emails urging community members to voice their opinions to the school board.
 
School Board Member Ted Dole says if the tower is not put up on school property, it will most likely be put up close by.
 
Community members will be able to share their views at a school board meeting this Wednesday at 6 p.m., after which the board is expected to vote on the issue.