Residents urge alternatives to proposed cell tower and raise curriculum concerns during public comment

Multiple speakers used the public‑comment period at the March 18 Forest Hills Board of Education meeting to raise health, technical and curriculum concerns related to a proposed cell‑tower project and district instructional content.

Jessica Lemire, who identified herself as a non‑district resident, testified about electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) and described personal symptoms she attributes to radio‑frequency exposure, saying she avoids places near cell towers and is “concerned about the children” and staff. She urged the board to consider health risks before proceeding.

Chris Wherry, who identified his background in electrical and computer engineering and two decades supporting cellular networks, urged the district to pursue Wi‑Fi–based alternatives and Wi‑Fi calling as faster, lower‑radiation responses to campus cellular reliability issues. He told the board: “You can make calls with your cell phone through a WiFi network... If you have access to the Internet, any cell phone, not just Verizon subscribers, could call emergency responders.” He asked the administration to pilot Wi‑Fi improvements and simplify guest Wi‑Fi registration instead of committing to a multi‑decade tower contract.

Other commenters asked the board to expand public‑comment opportunities for agenda items and to involve community experts in technical decisions. Dr. Christina Bacallus (spelled in transcript) asked for an update on where the district stands on the cell‑tower process and encouraged community participation.

Separately, a parent, Yun Feiqi, expressed concern about perceived political content in elementary curriculum, citing instruction on topics such as Rosa Parks, the Holocaust and LGBTQ topics and describing repeated disciplinary reports involving his child. He urged the district to emphasize STEM and sports and to reconsider what he called a political agenda.

Board members listened and thanked speakers; administration indicated the cell‑tower item remains on hold pending further discussion, and public commenters received offers of follow‑up from appropriate administrators. The transcript shows no board decision on the cell‑tower during this meeting.