Concerned residents urged the Parkland School Board on July 21 to take a more public and aggressive role in opposing the proposed Atlas data center near Parkland High School, with speakers arguing that the project could affect students, staff, homeowners and the long-term attractiveness of the district.

The issue dominated the public comment portion of the meeting, with speaker after speaker pressing district leaders to move beyond private discussions and formally advocate against the development.

Caren Lowrey, a South Whitehall Township resident, Parkland graduate and parent of three children in the district, told board members that discussions about the project have focused too heavily on infrastructure and technical details while overlooking students.

“When people talk about Project Atlas, they often talk about acreage, square footage, megawatts, substations and infrastructure,” Lowrey said. “I see something different. The students, athletes practicing on the fields after school, the marching band rehearsing in the parking lot, families attending games, teachers, coaches and staff dedicating their lives to helping young people succeed.”

Lowrey urged the board to publicly advocate for students and families and said prevention means asking questions before potential harm occurs.

Kathleen Bruno said she has not seen school board members, administrators or teachers standing “shoulder to shoulder with the residents” opposing the proposal.

“This hyperscale data center will adversely affect the township, our school district and particularly the high school and all the students and teachers in it,” Bruno said.

Bruno argued the district’s reputation is a primary reason families move to the area and warned that the project could undermine that appeal.

Beth Whitehall-Finch echoed those concerns and called on the board to publicly oppose the project.

“This is not a partisan issue for once,” Finch said. “This is truly an everyone issue. Nobody wants this thing. You have everybody’s support. Please take a stand.”

George Rivera focused his remarks on what he described as a communication gap between district leaders and families.

“You have no legal gag order. You have a voice, and you’ve used it before,” Rivera told the board.

Rivera asked for a public statement detailing the district’s concerns and a timeline for parent updates.

Earlier in the meeting, resident Dwight Adam raised concerns about potential noise and environmental impacts associated with the project.

“If the school board can’t assure its staff, students, taxpaying neighbors will not be negatively impacted for many years to come, they should express their concerns to the township and politicians,” Adam said.

Superintendent Dr. Mark Matson responded that the district has not been silent on the issue. He said the district submitted a letter in May outlining concerns about noise, heat island effects and other potential impacts and plans to send additional comments regarding revised plans.

“From the administrative standpoint, this proposal as is, is not something that is acceptable next to the high school,” Matson said.

Board members said discussions are continuing regarding how the district should respond moving forward. No formal action was taken during the meeting.