PERRYTON ISD board suspends broadcast rights for KYE after on-court removal during girls basketball presentation

PERRYTON ISD trustees voted unanimously to suspend broadcast privileges for the station identified in the discussion as KYE (also referenced as KEYE in the transcript) for the balance of the 25-26 school year after an on-court removal of a broadcaster during a student presentation at a girls basketball game.

Speaker 1, opening the special discussion, said the board called the meeting to "address the issue" and to determine whether changes to broadcast permissions were necessary after what the speaker described as "an episode" at the game. The speaker said the district, parents and attendees were embarrassed by how the situation unfolded.

Speaker 2 criticized the timing of the on-court removal as "a terrible look" during a special moment for the student and proposed a one-year ban as a possible penalty. Speaker 2 also noted the legal limits on excluding paying spectators from gym events but said the district should hold outside businesses to a higher standard when they broadcast students.

Board members described how broadcast access had historically rotated between two local stations and suggested creating an annual application or review process. Speaker 2 noted that a written apology had been issued by the station (referred to as KYE/KEYE in the discussion) and asked that it be considered in the board's deliberations.

Speaker 3 moved to "suspend broadcast and then review it maybe in June" for the remainder of the 25-26 school year; Speaker 2 seconded. Speaker 1 called the vote and announced, "Motion carries 7 0." The motion instructs district administration to withhold broadcast access from the named station through the stated school year and to include review of broadcast partner access in a future summer meeting.

The board did not record individual member names in the transcript; the tally announced by the presiding speaker was seven in favor, none opposed. No additional penalties, fines or formal disciplinary steps for individuals were recorded in the discussion. The meeting was adjourned shortly after the vote.

Next steps the trustees identified in the discussion include (1) instituting an annual review or application process for broadcast partners, and (2) placing broadcast access review on a June or July agenda before the next school year. The district did not specify an exact review date or a process timeline in the recorded discussion.