Junior High School Resource officer Austin Green called plans for a new cell tower “vitally important to increasing school safety, not only for MJHS but the other surrounding schools as well,” reported The Daily Times. Green joined parents in speaking in support of the plan to erect a 160-foot monopole on the school’s property.
The plan has already received the approval of the Maryville Board of Education. Board Chairman Nick Black stated, “The benefits here are tremendous. We need it.” The sentiment was shared by parents who spoke at the meeting about the frustrations they have encountered when trying to reach their students when the phone signals at the school are unreliable. Green added that a new cell tower would also improve the functionality of the school’s safety app, and allow better contact with first responders, if needed.
If the plans are approved by the Maryville Board of Zoning Appeals and Planning Commission, Vogue Towers of Chattanooga will proceed with plans to install the cell tower at the part of the parking lot furthest away from the actual school building. Verizon has reserved a berth as the initial tenant, but construction would allow the addition of other carriers in the future. The current draft has proposed that Maryville City Schools would receive two $10,000 payments up front, with recurring revenue of $1,000 a month starting in the first year.
CEO Pat Troxell-Tent of Vogue Towers said she anticipates that construction will begin in early 2024.
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