MOTIONS / RESOLUTIONS PRESENTED TO

THE DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR

CONSIDERATION
SUBJECT: Wireless Telecommunications Installations
DATE NOTICED: Feb. 11, 2013
PRESENTED FOR ACTION: Feb. 11, 2013
PRESENTED BY: Ms. Cheryl Miller, Get the Cell Out - Atlanta Chapter and Ms. Viola Davis, Unhappy
Taxpayer and Voter
MOVED / SECONDED BY: _______________________________
MOTION: __________________

RESOLUTION: _______________

Whereas, the health and safety of our students and employees are fundamental concerns of the DeKalb
County School System;
Whereas, the financial responsibility of our school system falls upon the DeKalb County School Board in
its governance responsibility;
Whereas, there continues to be considerable debate and uncertainty within the scientific community as to
the potential health effects to individuals, especially children, from exposure to extremely low
frequency electromagnetic and radio-frequency radiation;
Whereas, on May 31, 2011, the World Health Organization changed the classification of electromagnetic
fields to category 2b, possible human carcinogen, based on the study conducted by the International
Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC);
Whereas, the citizens of DeKalb County have united across political, geographic, racial and other
boundaries to work together in order to lobby their state government in an effort to ban cell phone towers
from public school grounds;
Whereas, the DeKalb County Commissioners penned a joint letter to DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis,
dated March 21, 2012, to jointly oppose any alternative methods for cell tower zoning that would not
comply with county zoning or permitting ordinances already in place;
Whereas, the citizens of DeKalb County were successful in having their state government place a nonbinding, advisory referendum on the DeKalb County ballot on July 31, 2012 that asked every voter if they
approved of the placement or operation of wireless telecommunications towers on public school grounds
at any elementary, middle, high or charter school in the county, and the voters returned an answer of No
by a 62% majority, totaling more than 75,000 registered votes.
Whereas, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) reported in its December 2012 report
that our school system must change in order to save its accreditation. Among these changes were noted
primarily under the action items that #1) the focus must be serving the needs of the children and #2) the
board must ensure that all actions and decisions of the DeKalb County Board of Education are reflective of
the collective Board and consistent with approved policies and procedures and all applicable laws,
regulations and standards, rather than individual board members acting independently and undermining the
authority of the Superintendent to lead and manage day-to-day operations;
Whereas, cell towers operating on public school grounds do not serve an educational purpose in DeKalb
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County and are not necessary for moving forward toward any stated technology plans in our schools;
Whereas, cell towers place an undue financial burden upon the communities in which they would be
placed, further eroding a tax base already in peril and alienating many taxpayers from further support of the
district. Whereas, the Appraisal Institute, the largest global association for appraisers with more than 91
chapters worldwide, has educated its members on the potential impact of cell towers on residential property
as being anywhere from 2 - 20% decline, with the larger decline in value being realized by properties closer
to the tower itself;
Whereas, The full Parliament of the European Union has raised concerns about the exposure of children
and young people to electromagnetic fields and continuing uncertainties about possible health risks; and
therefore, adopted on April 2, 2009 a resolution encouraging 1) the establishment of setback criteria for
wireless antennas, mobile phone masts and other electromagnetic emitting devices to be set within a
specific distance from schools and health institutions, 2) stricter regulations and protections for residents
and consumers and 3) more reliable information be made available about the effects of exposure to
electromagnetic fields to citizens in an effort to prevent a "proliferation of poorly positioned masts and
transmitters.

Be it enacted
That the DeKalb County School System shall not, now or in the future, consider or approve any proposals
from telecommunication providers, tower companies, their subsidiaries or the like for the lease or sale of
public school grounds for the purpose of construction, placement or operation of wireless or other
telecommunications structures until such a time that these structures have been proven to the satisfaction of
the World Health Organization, or similar authority of scientists and researchers known to the general
public, to be safe for operation within close proximity to homes and schools.

Be it agreed to upon consent this 11th day of February, 2013.

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At this time, the citizens of DeKalb County, GA, respectfully ask

Interim Superintendent Thurmond to please consider offering this
resolution to the members of the DeKalb County Board of Education as
a part of tonights consent agenda.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Cheryl L. Miller
Get the Cell Out - ATL
Paul F. Miller
Get the Cell Out - ATL
Viola Davis
Unhappy Taxpayer and Voter
Ruby Davis
Unhappy Taxpayer and Voter

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