Concerned and angry Haller Lake residents crowded Ingraham High School cafeteria the evening of May 10th as the School District held a required meeting to solicit neighborhood comment on proposed 85- to 95-foot-tall light poles at the school's athletic fields.

 The School District in conjunction with the Parks Department wants the lights in order to rent out the fields to adult soccer clubs from all over the region until 10:30 every night. Requiring a special exception to the 30-foot height limit in single-family zones, the lights would be part of the field upgrades paid for by the 1998 School Levy.

 Homeowners expressed concern about glare from the lights which will be visible from homes all around the lake, as well as the noise, traffic, and parking problems such intensive night use would bring. Neighborhood families would no longer have use of the field.

 Many residents expressed disbelief that the School District pays any attention to their concerns, especially when it was revealed that in a similar upgrade at Hale High School, footings and conduits for the tall lights have already been installed before the required neighborhood input meeting.

 School spokesmen said they hoped for a compromise on the issue, but offered none. Anyone who wants to contribute to the legal appeal fund may contact Neighbors of Ingraham High School, c/o Wess Jackson, 1901 N. 133rd St., Seattle 98133.

 - VICTORIA PRESTRUD,

 Haller Lake cprestrud@sprynet.com