Representative Leezah Sun

Cellular Tower Lease Renewal: What the Community Should Know
Tolleson Union High School District (TUHSD)

At our most recent TUHSD Governing Board meeting, the proposed 10-year renewal of a cellular tower lease resulted in a 2–2–1 vote (2 yes, 2 no, 1 abstention), meaning the motion did not pass. Because of that outcome, the item is being brought back for reconsideration at our next board meeting, depending on the abstaining vote.  The public deserves clear, straightforward information about why this decision matters.This is not just one tower and not a short-term issue. TUHSD currently has five cellular towers across seven campuses. The tower at Westview High School has already been on campus for about 20 years. Renewing the lease would allow it to remain for up to 30 years total, which is a significant land-use and governance decision involving public school property.  It’s important to clarify: school operations do NOT depend on this tower. District internet comes through wired connections like fiber, and school Wi-Fi runs on district-owned routers and access points. Cell phones work within networks of towers, not a single site. If this tower were removed, district internet, Wi-Fi, and classroom technology would continue to function.  Internationally, radiofrequency (RF) exposure is classified as “possibly carcinogenic,” meaning the science is not settled, especially for long-term exposure involving children. Because of this uncertainty, many countries treat schools, hospitals, daycares, community centers, and homes as sensitive locations and apply additional precautions. The U.S. does not apply separate standards for schools, and current federal guidelines were developed in the 1990s.  The proposed lease also provides limited control to the district, with long-term obligations and few exit options, affecting future boards’ decision-making authority.  As a Governing Board, our responsibility is to protect students, steward public land, and uphold our fiduciary duty. Long-term private infrastructure on school property deserves careful public review.

This item will be discussed at the February 10th, 6:00 PM TUHSD Governing Board meeting.

CELLULAR TOWER LEASE RENEWAL: PUBLIC INFORMATION
Tolleson Union High School District (TUHSD)

At our most recent TUHSD Governing Board meeting, the proposed 10-year renewal of a cellular tower lease resulted in a 2–2–1 vote, meaning the motion did not pass. Because the item failed, it is being brought back for a revote at our next board meeting, depending on the abstaining vote. The public deserves clear, straightforward information about what is being considered and why this decision matters. This is not one tower and it is not a short-term decision. TUHSD currently has five cellular towers across seven campuses. The tower located at Westview High School has already been on campus for about 20 years. Approving a new 10-year lease would mean the tower could remain on that campus for up to 30 years total. That length of time represents a significant land-use and governance decision involving public school property. School operations do NOT depend on this tower.
There is a common misunderstanding that cellular towers are needed for school technology. That is not the case. District internet comes through wired connections such as fiber. School Wi‑Fi operates on district-owned routers and access points. Cell phones are designed to work within networks of towers, not rely on a single tower.Cellular towers serve private mobile phone carriers, not school systems. If this tower were removed, district internet, Wi‑Fi, and classroom technology would continue to operate normally. How other countries approach schools and similar locations. Internationally, radiofrequency (RF) exposure is classified as “possibly carcinogenic,” meaning the science is not settled, especially when it comes to long-term exposure for children. Because of this uncertainty, many countries treat places like schools, hospitals, daycares, community centers, and homes as “sensitive locations” and apply additional precautions when deciding where cellular infrastructure is placed. Modern cellular systems such as 4G LTE and 5G operate differently than earlier technologies. While newer technology does not automatically mean harm, it raises important policy questions when infrastructure is placed on school campuses for long periods of time. The United States does not apply separate exposure standards for schools. U.S. standards are based on older assumptions. Federal exposure standards were created in the 1990s, before smartphones, constant connectivity, dense antenna networks, and lifetime exposure beginning in childhood. These standards focus on short-term heating effects and do not address long-term or developmental exposure, nor do they distinguish school environments from other locations. Contract and governance considerations. The proposed lease renewal provides limited control to the district. Under the current structure, the district does not have strong authority over future equipment upgrades, board approval is not required for certain technology changes, exit and renegotiation options are non-existence, and future boards could be locked into long-term obligations. Public stewardship and fiduciary responsibility. The Governing Board’s responsibility includes protecting students, stewarding public land and assets, preserving decision-making authority for future boards, and ensuring long-term agreements align with the district’s public mission. Long-term contracts involving private infrastructure on school property deserve careful review to ensure they serve the best interests of the community. This information is shared to provide context and transparency for the public regarding the cellular tower lease renewal. This item is scheduled for reconsideration/discussion at the February 10th, 6:00 PM TUHSD Governing Board meeting.

Advocacy, at its best, is not about noise, it’s about presence. Today in Washington, D.C., we shared meaningful dialogue with US Rep. Adelita Grijalva on protecting public education and committing to the quiet, necessary work of doing what is right. Progress is rarely loud, it is built through thoughtful exchange, shared responsibility, and moral clarity.
I’ve walked these halls hundreds of times throughout my career, and it never gets old. Each visit is a reminder that democracy is a practice, not a place and that our responsibility to students and future generations must always come first.
StudentsFirst Leadership CivicDuty

The students who walked out across our high schools stepped into a moment that will be remembered long after today's headlines fade. Their futures are still being written and history will judge not only their courage but whether we as adults chose to leave them a society rooted in fairness, safety and opportunity, better than the one we inherited.

Sky12 flew over multiple student walkouts this week at Tolleson, Gilbert, Mesa and Horizon high schools, where hundreds of students left class to protest ICE: https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/valley-high-school-student-helps-organize-walkout-tied-to-national-anti-ice-strike-san-tan-valley-arizona/75-6c6b13ae-67e7-4366-bc07-2b9a15e3244c?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_12News

"Thank goodness I’m so happy. Moral of the story don’t get signatures at Fry’s."

Our communities deserve the best from those who lead them. 2026 is our chance to choose stronger, people powered leadership here in Arizona. If you’re ready for change, I’d love your support. Please sign the petition and stand with us. 💛

This campaign is about putting people first — not special interests, not corporations. If you want a leader who puts us over special interests, sign my petition using the QR code or the link in my bio. Let’s restore power to the working class.

As a TUHSD board member, I am deeply grateful for the blessings we carry as a community. But I am also mindful that too many of our neighbors still struggle with food scarcity, mental-health challenges, and the rising cost of living that leaves our elders and the poorest among us feeling forgotten. This season, let us reach out and share whatever abundance we hold, good health, a roof over our heads, joy in our hearts, and the comfort of loved ones near and far.
Sometimes true gratitude is simply recognizing what we do have, not what we don’t.

Silver lining for the night...

BREAKING: Zohran Mamdani wins the New York City mayoral race, NBC News projects. nbcnews.app.link/Afy0Y3Zi2Xb