WJHS Forgets to renew....

[DouglasB]

From the FCC. Columbia City Joint High School's WJHS gets whacked.

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-07-354A1.doc (word document)

or

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-07-354A1.txt (unformatted text)

(This is links to public domain information and is not subject to copyright)

Media is reporting that the school is blaming a former operations person for the oversight. Nice try, the licensee is ultimately responsible to the FCC. Now watch, they will claim they don't have the money and ask for the fine to be rescinded. Sounds like they want a "do over".

 

[gr8oldies]

Yeah, blaming someone doesn't cut it. Didn't WBAA have the same problem awhile back?

 

[jo-nathan]

Well, a school would generally have to rely on an operations person to do the paperwork so I could see where it may be the fault of the person directly responsible for the station. I understand that the school district is the owner of the license but come on... I'm sure they have better (and more important) things to do than keep up with FCC deadlines and should rely on the people actually running the station to do that.

 

[DouglasB]

Well, a school would generally have to rely on an operations person to do the paperwork so I could see where it may be the fault of the person directly responsible for the station. I understand that the school district is the owner of the license but come on... I'm sure they have better (and more important) things to do than keep up with FCC deadlines and should rely on the people actually running the station to do that.

I get your point. However, I can't think of a more bureaucratic mess than a school. They should be used to having to deal with the locals, the State and the Feds. Someone dropped the ball here and it's going to cost someone a chunk of change.

 

[Eric_Swan]

There's a very long story to this. How can the business manager of the school corporation blame "the station's former operator" when the current station operator took over in 2005. The original fine was issued Jan. 31, 2007.

 

[justalurker]

There's a very long story to this. How can the business manager of the school corporation blame "the station's former operator" when the current station operator took over in 2005. The original fine was issued Jan. 31, 2007.

Not too long of a story ... renewals for Indiana were due in 2004. The FCC was been slow in getting around to catching and going after the stations that failed to properly file in 2004. The 2005 person apparently did some research (read the public file or perhaps the posted license and renewal cards) and figured out that a deadline was missed and filed in February of 2005 (application) ... before the FCC stepped in and canceled the license as they did to the stations they caught in 2006.

The story as of January 31st, 2007, is available on the FCC website here (pdf).

 

[buttonpusher812]

Douglas B said "I can't think of a more bureaucratic mess than a school."

Aren't we talking about the FCC here? I'm just sayin.....

 

[Flying-Dutchman]

Many many non-commercial radio stations have been cited by the FCC for failure to renew and
unauthorized unlicensed operation. Fines range from $4,000 to $7,000.

Many of these NCE stations actually filled out the license renewal form. They printed it out and put
it in the public file.

But they missed just a couple mouse clicks and their application was not properly filed with the FCC.

Darn glad this never happened to me. Here's the secret to keep it from happening to your station.
Check the status of your application online at the FCC website.

If this has happened to you and you have a lawyer on retainer, hired as your FCC watchdog. He
failed to check your status for you. Fire his ass.

 

[justalurker]

Many many non-commercial radio stations have been cited by the FCC for failure to renew and unauthorized unlicensed operation. Fines range from $4,000 to $7,000.

Many of these NCE stations actually filled out the license renewal form. They printed it out and put it in the public file.

But they missed just a couple mouse clicks and their application was not properly filed with the FCC.

It would be interesting to see the full statistics. In this case, WJHS didn't bother to renew. If it was locked away somewhere in CDBS waiting for someone to press submit it was never found. Stations that proved that they had attempted but not completed filing seemed to get a break from the FCC. But with no proof of an attempt to file there isn't a lot of mercy.

 

[Flying-Dutchman]

In that case shame shame. It's not a good idea to neglect renewing your license and it's
a good way to get your butt fined if your the owner or fired if it was your duty.

 

[DouglasB]

In that case shame shame. It's not a good idea to neglect renewing your license and it's
a good way to get your butt fined if your the owner or fired if it was your duty.

What I find so incredibly stupid about the affair is that the school district's business manager simply blames someone else and then cries that they don't have the money to pay the fine. Gee, who paid for the lawyer to handle the first appeal, and now the second? They did retain a competent communications attorney, right? Or did the school system’s in-house attorney simply write an appeal letter to the Commission and then went to play golf?
Another troubling aspect of this whole situation is there appears to be no one in a responsible position for this station. Based on the statements of the business manager reported in the media, there appears to be a clear disconnect between the license holder and those persons tasked with operating the facility. The Commission might have trouble with a licensee not having direct control over the operation of the facility.
What the school district needs to acknowledge is that an FCC license for a non-commercial broadcast facility isn't just something you fill out and mail in, like renewing the license plates on the school buses. It's a grant of authority to use the public's airwaves and should not be regarded as just another one of those extra curricular activities for the students. No one has stepped forward to shoulder the responsibility for this situation. Instead the school district has chosen to point fingers, blame others, and generally try to portray themselves as the victims of a big, bad, Federal bureaucratic monster. I’m sure the voters and taxpayers of Whitley County must be proud.

 

[Flying-Dutchman]

Many think of the FCC as the big bad monster. But, there are some really good and helpful people
there. They will tell you the steps you must take to get out of a jam if you just ask.

The NCE stations who did not properly file were told to take these steps.

1. File the license renewal late.
2. File an STA to stay on the air.
3. File a petition for reconsideration to save call letters.

I'm sure the FCC understood this was a school and has no problem with them having an NCE
license. However this mess requires extra work at the Commission. Congress mandates that
the FCC collect fines to clean it up.

I'd bet someone went to the woodshed for this one.

 

[Eric_Swan]

According to the FCC document, the station was not fined for not renewing its license... it was fined for not completing the STA... 2006 I believe. They had already correctly filed one STA, and the failed to complete the next. Only the people involved know what really happened. And yes, I have to agree with the thought that WCCS is paying how much for an attorney to fight a $7000.00 fine?

 

[Juan Bodley]

Here's what I'm betting happened...
The operator is busy with more than just running the station. (I know, I used to work there. When Bob Thomas was manager. SEVERAL YEARS AGO. Regarding this situation, I don't have ANY inside info...) This person when hired is expected to be A/V director, Station Manager, teacher, and not just communications. CCHS has a video studio with the radio station, but if they're doing anything with it I don't know, but it's part of that department. What I think happened was one director quit and it was on that person to file; it didn't happen. Next person hires on; that person didn't look into the status of renewal process, then BANG they see it and/or notice was sent. (BTW...I know one of these directors, the other I just know the name. I'm not slamming these people, I'm just shedding some light on how WCCS runs this thing.)
The station director pretty much IS WJHS...very few students participate, and those who do do it for the fun or class credit. This is not like Homestead or Ben Davis in Indy; the "fun" stations with a "go-for-it" student staff...WJHS is just "there." Students know it's there, it's next to the library. But most just think it's a classroom that broadcasts. Sad.
What has happened to the manager over this I don't know. I just hope Uncle Charlie doesn't pull the plug. If it goes dark I'll throw out a toolbox...

 

[justalurker]

I don't see any reason to lose the license ... they just need to pay the fine.
That is the cost of those on the license not paying attention to their duties as licensees.
While blame can be cast on the former engineer, responsibility remains with the licensee.

 

[butlerguy03]

WJHS is just "there." Students know it's there, it's next to the library. But most just think it's a classroom that broadcasts. Sad.

That is sad. Sounds like the manager needed replaced if they couldn't get students excited and involved. It's not that hard, just listen to them and let them help program. It's amazing how much input they are willing to give. I increased my student involvement from 10 last year to 32 this year...now I have a great problem of needing more studios and more on-air opportunities. Also, there is NO excuse for the station manager to be "too busy" to run the station. I don't have the situation that other station managers have, and I teach classroom courses, run approx 100 sports games on-air a year, program the station (with student help), AND do the little things like update the public file when we have new donor AND make sure everything is OK just in case the FCC ever stopped by. Sure, I have two full time jobs, teacher and station manager, but I love it and we sound great!

 

[Juan Bodley]

According to the web site Talk of The Town Whitley County ( http://talkofthetownwc.com ) the state Superintendent of Public Schools, Dr. Tony Bennett has written to the FCC about this matter. His letter concerns the tight financial conditions that public schools are in currently and to see if there's any chance of lessening the fine.

This website is operated by a former student operator at WJHS and a friend of mine. Read it here:
http://talkofthetownwc.com/blog/2009/10/state_superintendent_appeals_t.html

Since moving to CC I've heard a lot of talk that this is sad and a lot of people hope to keep hearing the station. (A few think I still work there...)

Anybody for all Iron Maiden all the time?

 

[Juan Bodley]

That is sad. Sounds like the manager needed replaced if they couldn't get students excited and involved. It's not that hard, just listen to them and let them help program. It's amazing how much input they are willing to give. I increased my student involvement from 10 last year to 32 this year...now I have a great problem of needing more studios and more on-air opportunities. Also, there is NO excuse for the station manager to be "too busy" to run the station. I don't have the situation that other station managers have, and I teach classroom courses, run approx 100 sports games on-air a year, program the station (with student help), AND do the little things like update the public file when we have new donor AND make sure everything is OK just in case the FCC ever stopped by. Sure, I have two full time jobs, teacher and station manager, but I love it and we sound great!

Sounds like you need to teach a class on teaching a radio class...
This person has only one assistant, and VERY LITTLE help from students. If I had a teaching license I'd apply, just to get back on the air. Maybe the station needs a NON-teaching chief operator, someone to handle the operations/technical side, and someone to teach and be the "student liasion."

 

[justalurker]

Since moving to CC I've heard a lot of talk that this is sad and a lot of people hope to keep hearing the station. (A few think I still work there...)

There is no issue affecting the station license (yet). The FCC has not asked the station to forfeit their license, they asked for money ... and has already considered reducing the fine. Pay up and move on. Get 1400 people to give $5 if you need to ... just make the "voluntary payment" and end the issue.

Chalk up the payment as a learning experience and hope that this licensee, and others similarly situated, learn to keep an eye on their licensees. No broadaster is exempt from the FCC rules.

 

[butlerguy03]

Sounds like you need to teach a class on teaching a radio class...If I had a teaching license I'd apply, just to get back on the air.

I only have one assistant. I don't have a teaching license, I have a Workplace Specialist II license. Contact the IDOE or your local school on how to get one. If you have been in the business long enough, you can start teaching imediately while you work to get your complete WSII license. It's really not very hard at all.

This person has only one assistant, and VERY LITTLE help from students.

Exactly my point. Make the radio department about the students and they will help.

Maybe the station needs a NON-teaching chief operator, someone to handle the operations/technical side, and someone to teach and be the "student liasion."

Won't happen. Have you seen local school budgets? Many schools around the country have teacher/general managers and run just fine.