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Student panel proposes radio broadcasting course; startup estimated at $3,000

Cheltenham School District Educational Affairs Committee · December 17, 2025
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Summary

A Cheltenham High School student presented a proposal for a semester-long radio broadcasting course and an internet-based station; presenter said startup costs are about $3,000 with roughly $1,500 annual maintenance and transportation would be handled via existing field-trip budgets or vetted drivers.

A sophomore student representing the Chief Science Officers presented a student-designed radio broadcasting course to the Cheltenham Educational Affairs Committee and requested approval to pilot the class and an internet-based station.

Ben Sampson, the student lead, described the course as a one-semester, 0.5-credit offering that blends journalism, engineering and hands-on production. He said the curriculum would cover radio history, signal types, recording-studio work and FCC rules, and would include periodic travel to an off-campus studio at the Elkins Estate for hands-on work. "This course grows communication, problem solving and critical thinking," Sampson said.

Budget and logistics: Sampson said the full startup cost for new equipment and a subscription to an internet-based broadcaster would be approximately $3,000, with an estimated $1,500 per-year maintenance cost "and that is generous," he added. When asked about transportation, administrators said existing field-trip transportation budgets and vetted staff drivers would be used, and that earlier visits to the Elkins Estate had been supported by district staff.

Board response: Members praised the student proposal and local-journalism focus. One board member called the idea "invaluable" for local journalism and media literacy. Administrators said the materials, standards alignment and a detailed budget spreadsheet are available and would be shared with the board.

Next steps: presenters were asked to provide the full budget spreadsheet and implementation details; the district will consider the course in its course-offering decisions for the 2025–26 schedule.