Residents Urge Board to Keep School Land, Raise Habitat and 5G Concerns

Several Fountain Hills residents used the board’s public-comment period to press the governing board not to place district land on a future ballot and to demand more information on infrastructure issues.

Ed (last name read as Stiza) said he observed equipment being installed at the high-school ball field and raised concerns about newly installed 5G installations “over at the ball field,” asking who authorized the work and saying the installations put students and staff "in jeopardy." Board members asked clarifying questions about the location and ownership of the lights and whether the equipment sat on district property; no formal authorization or written agreement was presented at the meeting.

Multiple speakers objected to a proposed sale or development of the Arroyo/Plat 602 (sometimes referenced in public remarks as 602A or El Algo). Cheryl Stiles told the board “you’re bulldozing that” when describing prior plans and warned that higher-density development would remove wildlife habitat and views that residents purchased their homes to enjoy. Tina LaVita and other neighbors cited state and federal protections for migratory birds and saguaros and asked whether the district had considered habitat disturbance and possible compensation for homeowners who might lose views.

Speakers also invoked state law on proceeds from school-property sales: a public comment cited ARS 15-1102 to warn the board that proceeds may have restricted uses and that, where outstanding bond debt exceeds statutory thresholds, substantial portions of sale proceeds must be applied to bond payoff before capital uses. Another commenter reported outreach to the Army Corps and sanitary district and expressed concern about flood risk, sewer capacity and traffic impacts if the site were developed.

Board responses were largely clarifying: members acknowledged the statutory constraints cited by residents, asked staff to confirm parcel ownership boundaries and reminded the public that personnel cannot discuss or take action on items not on the posted agenda during public comment. Board members said they would continue to collect information and suggested residents could submit documents or request items for future agendas.

What happens next: The board did not take action on the land-sale question at this meeting. Residents and organized neighborhood groups said they are mobilizing — collecting documents, contacting agencies (Army Corps, sanitary district) and planning further outreach — and asked the board to explore alternate funding or asset strategies before placing any sale on a ballot.