BOARD TO DECIDE KMHD’S FUTURE AT NEXT MEETING

The Mt. Hood District Board of Education continued its discussion on the future of MHCC’s radio station, KMHD, at its Dec. 19 and Jan. 9 monthly strategy sessions.

After months of research, discussion, questions, and exploring hypotheticals, the board is nearing the end of its debate on KMHD. It will make a formal decision at the next regularly scheduled meeting, on Wednesday, Jan. 16, whether to renew the its current contract with Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) or bring the station operations back to the college campus. 

On Jan. 9, President Lisa Skari made her formal recommendation for the board’s consideration: She believes it’s in the best interest of the college as a whole to renew the contract with OPB, while pursuing better outcomes.

DECEMBER RECAP

In December, the Board continued to float many of the same various options that were discussed all autumn. In considering bringing the station back to MHCC, even on a small scale, the board continued to voice concerns over the financial impact. The proposed governor’s budget for 2019-21 provides a worrisome glimpse into the future, according to Skari and Jennifer DeMent, budget director for Mt. Hood.

Skari said the board will be making budget cutbacks at Mt. Hood regardless of the outcome of the KMHD decision, and, “The size (of the cuts) could be (academic) programs.”

Board member Jim Zordich expressed concerns that if KMHD were to return to campus, that its fundraising could compete with the MHCC Foundation. “The Foundation currently is able to raise about $400,000 a year. Would we be compromising that and in turn be compromising our scholarship awards?” he questioned.

Tamie Arnold said, “The folks listening to the radio station, benefiting from it, contributing to it, aren’t necessarily the same folks that are donating to the Foundation (for) scholarships.”

Kenney Polson added, “I don’t think the Foundation is collecting money on a global sense, but I know for a fact that the radio station is.”

There was also talk of the dissatisfaction with the current contract with OPB, and how some of the negative feelings towards it could come from the college’s lack of enforcing certain parts of the license management agreement, specifically in regards to “trade advertising” – the on-air promotion of Mt. Hood during broadcasts. The college is provided trade advertising through OPB annually, but DeMent explained the college hasn’t been utilizing it.

As with many previous discussions about KMHD, the meeting ended with a lot of questions from the board members. While DeMent was able to provide clear answers, the one thing that was still needed, as brought up by Annette Mattson after reviewing the board’s policies on taking action, was a recommendation from Skari, the president.

JANUARY RECAP

Wednesday’s board strategy session discussion on KMHD began with just that: Skari’s formal recommendation on what she hopes members will consider for their decision on Jan. 16.

She acknowledged the important history of the station and of jazz at MHCC. She said, “Both options before you are positively impacting our mission, but I will add that they do so in a manner that is peripheral to our core mission. Ultimately, we are providers of post-secondary education.”

Skari explained that even in a positive economic period, the college is looking at a minimum budget deficit of $4 million over the next biennium (two-year state budget cycle). 

“Our historical, ever-expanding, comprehensive mission is beginning to take its toll. Our facilities are in need of repair, our labs are in need of updated equipment, and we have safety issues that require attention,” said Skari.

“Every dollar that is spent on KMHD is a dollar we can’t spend somewhere else.”

She concluded with her stance. “Based on the current financial context I feel it would be irresponsible of me to recommend the board do anything else than continue the contract with OPB at this time. To address some of the contractual concerns, the board can direct me to work with OPB on better outcomes for students.”

Under the contract, Mt. Hood’s president (Skari) has a position on the OPB board of directors, where she could exert some influence on the KMHD partnership.

The discussions that followed were brief. Zordich said, “Well, have we worn out this conversation?”

Polson reiterated that his stance hasn’t and will not be changing. “I think (KMHD) should come back to the college,” he said. “The station itself is an educational component of the college. We’re here to educate people.”

Skari reminded everyone that the board is going to need to pass a schoolwide operating budget, and that part of that equation is always potential tuition increases. She doesn’t support raising tuition to cover the expense of bringing KMHD back, she said.

She also explained that if the board decides to just let the OPB contract roll over for the five-year extension, that it technically doesn’t need to take action. Most members seemed to agree they wanted the closure and resolution of a vote, but either way a decision will be made at the Jan. 16 meeting.

This is just in time to meet the Feb. 11 deadline of notifying OPB if the college does not wish to let the contract auto-renew, as is, for another five years.

Anyone interested in having their thoughts on this issue heard will have a last chance for input at the Jan. 16 meeting before the board votes. Public input takes place at the beginning of meetings (start time is 6:30 p.m.), and arriving early to sign up to speak is important.