Students, trustees press to restore KBSD channel and keep Porter High TV studio space; board tables action for more information

A student from Porter Early College High School urged the Brownsville ISD board on May 6 to allow students to keep the former KBSD television-station space and asked trustees to consider restoring KBSD Spectrum channel 13-01 so community members without stable internet access could view district programming.

Christopher Cardona, who identified himself as a student in Porter’s audio-video program, told trustees, “This room is more than just a space. It's a hub for creativity, learning, and real world experience.” Cardona said his team used the space during competitions and that access to a full studio expanded opportunities for filmmaking, editing and professional practice.

Trustees discussed the tradeoffs between maintaining a dedicated public-education/government (PEG) Spectrum channel and using YouTube. Board members noted Spectrum previously carried a looping service for district content for a small fee; staff said the prior arrangement cost roughly $2,800 annually for a looping channel but that Spectrum has moved toward HD-only carriage and staff needed written confirmation on current technical offerings and audience metrics. The board also heard that the KBSD physical studio equipment remains on district property and that any reactivation carries modest recurring costs and some staff time.

Trustee Minerva Pena and others noted that some residents lack reliable internet or streaming devices and that a free basic cable channel can reach audiences who do not use YouTube. Trustee Carlos Elizondo and Superintendent Chavez said student access to studio space is a priority; the superintendent cautioned that any district decision to restore a paid PEG channel must be weighed against current budget constraints.

The board voted to table the item and asked administration to return with written, itemized cost estimates, current proposals from Spectrum (in writing) and options for locating the KBSD channel or studio space so students and public-information staff can both make use of production facilities.

Why it matters: The decision affects student hands-on media education, the district’s ability to distribute content to community members without broadband and recurring budget commitments for channel carriage or studio operations.

What’s next: Administration will provide the Spectrum proposal in writing, present cost comparisons, and propose options for the studio space and staffing so trustees can act at a future meeting.