As part of our ongoing commitment to campus safety and preparedness, San Domenico has partnered with Verizon Wireless to install a new cellular tower on school grounds. We are thrilled to share that the tower is now online, servicing campus and the Sleepy Hollow community. This upgrade provides significantly improved cell coverage for families, faculty, staff, and area residents, while also enhancing our ability to maintain reliable communications during emergencies.
“At San Domenico, we are always looking ahead to ensure our campus infrastructure meets the evolving needs of our community,” says San Domenico’s Chief Financial Officer David Wise. “This project has been a long time coming, and we are pleased to now have this service active for the benefit of our campus and our neighbors.”
One of San Domenico’s core values is community, and this project is a powerful example of what can be accomplished when people come together with purpose. Our school, neighbors, and local officials recognized a shared concern and worked with dedication for years to make this solution a reality. This is what it looks like to serve the greater good: identifying challenges, applying knowledge, and taking action. San Domenico is thankful to everyone who played a role in bringing this project to life, including the Sleepy Hollow Homes Association, Sleepy Hollow Fire Protection District, and Fire Safe Marin.
At SD, we strive to instill in our students the importance of contributing to the world around them. This project reflects that ideal—it is a practical, much-needed improvement that will make our community safer and stronger for years to come.
Cellular Tower FAQ
How will the cell tower help improve public safety on campus and/or for the broader community?
San Domenico and the broader Sleepy Hollow community have strong safety protocols in place, but reliable cell coverage will make them even more effective. With little to no cell service in our area, we previously depended on Wi-Fi for communication, and during power outages—an all-too-common occurrence—this can pose challenges. In emergencies, we have backup measures such as satellite phones to reach 9-1-1, but these are not as efficient as immediate cell service. Given that 140 students live on campus and hundreds of families, students, employees, and neighbors rely on our shared infrastructure, this project will significantly enhance safety for all. With reliable connectivity, first responders, school officials, and residents can now communicate swiftly and effectively when it matters most.
Who will benefit from the new cellular tower?
Effectively immediately, Verizon Wireless customers will have automatic access to the cellular tower. Space remains on the tower to support additional carriers, and San Domenico and Verizon are currently investigating this opportunity. Regardless of carrier, all cell phones will be served by this cellular tower when dialing 9-1-1.
Where is the cell tower on campus?
Designed to look like a water tank, the cellular tower is located on a hillside above the campus entrance. The goal is to provide the most comprehensive coverage for Sleepy Hollow while ensuring minimal impact on residents and the environment. Verizon conducted an extensive site study across our 515-acre campus and determined that this location would provide the strongest coverage for the greatest number of people while keeping radio frequency exposure at a minimum.
Is the cellular tower safe for students and staff?
Yes. In determining whether to greenlight the project, San Domenico partnered with Verizon Wireless and independent contractors to assess the safety and viability of installing a cellular tower on campus. The resulting safety assessment identified the chosen location as well within all federal and state standards for radiofrequency (RF) exposure. The constructed tower complies with all federal safety regulations, including those set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which are designed to ensure safe levels of RF exposure for the public. Independent studies and assessments of the tower location give us confidence that our community will remain safe from harm.
Will the tower’s signals affect classroom equipment or learning devices?
No. The tower will not interfere with Wi-Fi networks, classroom technology, or personal devices.