Verizon Wireless is proposing to add an antenna to a cellphone tower at Kealakehe Elementary School.
Verizon Wireless is proposing to add an antenna to a cellphone tower at Kealakehe Elementary School.
A company representative did not respond to multiple messages Wednesday seeking more information about the plan, which would collocate the Verizon antenna on a T-Mobile flagpole tower at the school.
T-Mobile pays Kealakehe Elementary $1,400 a month for the right to have its tower located on school property, Principal Nancy Matsukawa said.
The money “goes directly to the school,” she said, adding the money can be used for any expense that falls under the “use of facilities” category. That could be electric bills or school maintenance, she said.
She said it was unclear whether Verizon would also pay a fee, or whether Verizon’s use would be covered by T-Mobile’s fee.
A call to the Department of Education’s facilities office in Honolulu seeking additional information about school facility use fees was not returned Wednesday.
Verizon has planned a public meeting for 6 p.m. May 9 at Kealakehe Intermediate School to discuss the proposal.