Controversial 5G tower atop Wyandotte school to be activated at end of September

Wyandotte ― A controversial cellphone tower atop a Wyandotte elementary school that some parents fear could impact their children's health will be activated later this month, according to the Wyandotte Public Schools superintendent.

In an update to parents earlier this month, Superintendent James E. Anderson said T-Mobile officials were at Washington Elementary Schools on Saturday to "power up" their equipment. An independent third party was to be at the trial to take readings at various points in and out of the building and prepare a report.

"Once the report is complete, it will be shared with me and in turn families who wish to review," Anderson said. "If the report matches their expected findings, they will then move forward."

"Regardless, T-Mobile has agreed to hold on the activation of the tower until at least Saturday, September 29th," Anderson said. "This means that the first time students and staff will potentially be in the building with the tower activated will be Monday, October 2nd. I requested this to allow time for the community to be fully informed and for time to review the findings."

District officials did not return a request for comment Monday.

The placement of the tower has stirred controversy since February, when parents in the Downriver community began claiming that radio frequency emissions may pose a health risk to schoolchildren. Some parents pulled their children out of school, disrupted school board meetings and marched in protest over the tower through the spring.

The tower has never been activated after Wyandotte residents began to protest and then filed a lawsuit earlier this year that argued radio frequency waves emanating from the tower could cause adverse health effects. The tower would emit frequencies that are below the maximum level allowed by the Federal Communication Commission, according to T-Mobile attorneys and school district officials.

In August, a Wayne County Circuit Court judge ruled against a group of Wyandotte parents attempting to sue T-Mobile and the Wyandotte school district over the 5G cellphone tower atop Washington.

Judge Adel Harb granted T-Mobile and the school district's motion to dismiss the case. Harb also lifted the temporary injunction that kept the cellphone tower inactive.

Parents are appealing the case and have requested the judge issue a stay prohibiting the tower from being activated while the case is pending. A hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Sept. 26.

The parents contend the FCC's regulations on cell tower radio frequency emissions are outdated. The district said it is bound by a lease agreement with T-Mobile that was approved and signed by the school board in 2018.

The parents are not alone in their skepticism. They have relied on some academics who contend more research is needed. U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar and several state senators also have expressed support for the parents.

jchambers@detroitnews.com