By Glenn Rolfe

OCEAN VIEW — One of the oldest schools in the Indian River School District is being asked to become part of a modern wave of telecommunications.

At its Monday meeting, IRSD’s board of education is scheduled to consider a request from ARX Wireless for a cellular tower on the grounds of Lord Baltimore Elementary School, off Atlantic Avenue in Ocean View.

“We have been actively working on this project for some time, and as I understand it, there has been a recent groundswell of interest in increased and reliable cell coverage within this area for personal and emergency use,” said Michael Shine of New Jersey-based Site ID, which represents ARX Wireless.

Joe Booth, supervisor of buildings and grounds for IRSD, said the proposal was discussed at the last B&G Committee meeting. It received a somewhat cold reception, he added.

“It didn’t seem there was a lot of support from the committee. We brought it up at Buildings & Grounds, and now, it becomes a board issue,” said Mr. Booth. “We don’t think that we have the property to rent that out to them, anywhere near what they had with their agreement.”

ARX Wireless’ proposed lease area is 70 feet by 70 feet. There was no height listed in the proposal, Mr. Booth said.

As compensation under the lease, the district would receive $800 per month under an initial five-year term. The agreement includes 10 renewal terms of five years each. Rent would increase 10% with each renewal.

Mr. Booth said the tower proposal could likely become “a lightning rod” for neighbors.

“Plus, we’d have to go through the town zoning,” he said. “I know that that area needs some cell towers, but I don’t think it is going to come from that property because the property is too small.”