Keep in mind that nothing is set in stone, and do check this web page for any updates.

The word came down last week that the coming 2009-2010 school year will feature a combined Advanced Radio and Television Class, rather than the current structure of two separate classes.  Somehow, these classes will be simultaneously run by one teacher.  To accommodate the doubling of students (yes, they’re planning to physically combine the class numbers into the 30’s), the parapro will be reassigned to regular school hours.  Now, without boring you with the politics of Career Technical Educational funding, one still arrives at an inevitable and startling truth; with the parapro (read Night Manager) working during the day, the after school program will effectively be eliminated.

Whether you’re a longtime listener or one of our many alumni, you surely understand what is at stake.  The current WPHS staff- composed primarily of incoming Seniors from around Warren Consolidated Schools- is adamantly opposed to the restructuring of your radio station.  From the educational perspective, we are shocked by the idea of loosing the hands-on experience that the after school program affords.  The implications for our community are even more disturbing.  In a day where most radio stations are faceless, corporate entities, WPHS is a community based radio station, covering the community that we live in.  Music programming aside, we are the only live media outlet to cover sporting events throughout the district, DJ school dances at Carleton Middle School, broadcast from Warren’s skating rink, and make important, local announcements that are relevant to our community.  And guess what?  It all happens after school!

The Administration would have us “tape-delay” our music programming, skip the sports and the news, shut the doors, and boot the kids promptly when the last bell rings.  Never mind the fact that they have never invested in the technologies required to run an automated facility, but even programming such a system takes far more time than the proposed schedule would allow.  

The students that have composed the diverse collective voice of WPHS over the years have always understood the unique opportunity that WCS has previously championed.  Not every student can find him/herself in sports, band, or core academic classes.  But the reality is that teenagers need to do something when the school day ends.  Radio is a craft, as much art as it is science.  WPHS, 89.1 FM has always been a place where young, creative individuals could practice their craft with passion. 

Silencing the only student run radio station in Macomb County is not an option.