Board names oversight leads for district radio operations, asks for community members

The Coos Bay School District board moved on Sept. 4 to establish oversight for its school‑operated radio operations, appointing two trustees to lead an initial committee.

Trustees Arnie and Kevin were appointed to form the oversight group, which the board asked to solicit additional community members with technical, operational or industry experience, and to report back on governance, revenue handling and personnel responsibilities. The board noted the district currently operates two broadcast services — a public educational stream with underwriting restrictions and a second station that can accept paid underwriting or ads — and that the operations require technical maintenance, FCC compliance and ongoing staffing.

Financial handling and accountability were explicit items for the oversight committee: the board asked the group to recommend clear procedures for how ad or underwriting revenue should be processed through district financial systems, how management and teacher‑supervision responsibilities should split between curricular (classroom) work and year‑round facility management, and how the district should staff or contract for technical and managerial roles. Trustees said the station has community value — including remote streaming of school events, student apprenticeships and local programming — and asked the committee to propose a transparent operating model and funding plan.

The motion was moved, seconded and approved by recorded ayes. Trustees asked the newly appointed co‑chairs to return with a proposed committee roster, terms of reference and an initial timetable for a report to the board.