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You are here: Fairfax County Public Schools > Departments, Clusters > Superintendent's Office > Community Relations > Monopoles and Fairfax County Public Schools
Several monopoles--80 to 160 ft. tall poles that can carry multiple components, such as lighting brackets, wireless antennas for commercial carriers, and security cameras--have been located on Fairfax County Public Schools property.
The poles located on school property are currently leased to a variety of cell phone service providers who locate antennas on the poles. Many of the poles also carry lighting and are integrated into school playing fields. Details about the locations of existing and planned poles are included in the monopole fact sheet.
The process of placing a monopole on an FCPS site begins with the Fairfax County Planning Commission. Approved applications are then reviewed by FCPS staff members. The school site administration is involved and parent input is invited. Final approval rests with the County Planning Commission.
The cellular antennas placed on the monopoles emit Radio Frequency (RF) energy. The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) is responsible for setting standards for safe exposure to RF emissions. The emissions from monopole sites currently on FCPS property have been assessed and found to be well below federal guidelines. All applications for new sites must include data on the highest level of emissions that can result from placement of the pole.
More information about RF issues is available from several international, national, and federal sources:
Last update:
November 28, 2005
Curator:Rose Kaspersen, Rose.Kaspersen@fcps.edu