PGCPS AND MILESTONE COMMUNICATIONS ENDS DEAL TO CONSTRUCT FUTURE CELL PHONE TOWERS
Victory!
Prince George's County Public Schools issues several press releases related to their historic decision to terminate the contract with Milestone Communication in August 2017. See them below. PGCPS and Milestone Communications End Deal for Future Cell Towers | Announcement by Executive Director, Dr. Kevin M. Maxwell, regarding cell towers in PGCPS properties
Prince George's County Public Schools sent this bulletin at 08/29/2017
Dear Parents / Guardians,
Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS) is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for students and staff. To this end, we have terminated an agreement with Milestone Communications to place future cell phone towers on school system properties.
We heard your concerns about the potential impact of cell phone towers on student health, questions about the site selection process, opportunities for community engagement and other issues. Therefore, we believe this decision is in the best interest of our schools, students and families.
Milestone Communications, the Virginia-based firm, will continue to manage existing tower locations at seven sites. PGCPS has not made a decision regarding future agreements with telecommunications providers.
We appreciate your continued input and support in ensuring healthy learning environments for all students.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kevin M. Maxwell
Chief Executive Officer
August 29, 2017 Press Release:
For Immediate Release
PGCPS AND MILESTONE COMMUNICATIONS END DEAL TO CONSTRUCT FUTURE CELL PHONE TOWERS
UPPER MARLBORO, MD – Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) announced Tuesday an agreement with Milestone Communications to not pursue future cell phone towers on school system properties.
The Virginia-based firm will continue to manage existing tower locations at Charles H. Flowers High School; Charles Carroll, Madison, Kenmoor, Oxon Hill, Benjamin Tasker middle schools; and Green Valley Academy.
“We appreciate Milestone’s compliance with our agreement over the years,” said Dr. Kevin M. Maxwell, Chief Executive Officer. “However, we had significant concerns about the site selection process and overall community engagement. Terminating the marketing agreement is in the best interests of Prince George’s County Public Schools.”
“As a Board, we understood the community’s concerns about transparency and accountability related to cell phone tower placement,” said Carolyn M. Boston, vice chair of the Prince George’s County Board of Education and chair of the Financial, Audit and Budgeting Committee. “We are pleased the Administration took these concerns seriously. We must always balance community concerns with financial benefits to the school system.”
Milestone informed Dr. Maxwell in a letter last week that it wished to end the marketing relationship due to “a lack of commitment from the administration regarding the continued growth of the program.”
The original agreement permitting Milestone to lease Board of Education property was approved in November 2010 and signed February 2011.
