KCSM TV, the broadcasting station licensed to the San Mateo Community College district, lost approximately $300,000 over the 2013-2014 year, according to a 2014 audit report delivered at the SMCCCD board of trustees meeting on Jan. 28.

According to the report compiled by auditor Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co., LLP, the station’s budget has decreased from 2.7 million to 2.3 million over the course of the 2013 -2014. According to the report, the current rate of loss would be sustainable for another seven years.

SMCCCD trustee David Mandelkern stated that the financial losses of the radio station were not of major concern to the district.

“It may not be a cash loss because the district covers it,” Mandelkern said. “In general, we are not concerned because [the station] has a strong viewer base.”

According to the audit report, the radio station KCSM FM receives approximately 72% of its income through listener donations, with additional income coming through a combination of community grants and business industry contributions.

While the radio branch of KCSM was not facing any particularly dire financial issues, trustee Mandelkern went on to state that the television broadcasting branch of KCSM was under much more severe fiscal pressure.

“We are very concerned about the TV station, particularly during the budget crisis,” Mandelkern said. “We could not afford to have it draining funds from the classroom.”

Mandelkern added that KCSM TV receives approximately $900,000 of funding a year from an outside media network company, Locus Point Networks, in an effort to cover the costs. However, the station will eventually be auctioned off, in an effort to mitigate the costs of operation.

In spite of the station’s concerns, some students did not view the television station’s struggles as a matter of concern.

“I haven’t seen it in years.” Skyline student Marcus Delgado said. “I figure most people don’t even watch that kind of TV anymore. That’s just how things go sometimes.”

Other students felt that the potential closure or auctioning of the station to private interests would be an unfortunate loss to the community.

“It’s a shame,” Skyline student Margarita Astudillo said. “It was free educational TV. I’d put it on for my kids.”

Skyline Associate Professor of English, Lucia Lachmayr, has remained a consistent supporter of both the radio and television broadcasts through KCSM.

“I listen to and enjoy KCSM fairly frequently,” Lachmayr said.

Lachmayr went on to comment on the ethical benefits to keeping a student associated broadcast station within the district.

“I do think [the television station] is a valuable resource,” she said. “Most TV is sponsored by corporate interests. This is an independent, fresher perspective that diverges from the mainstream interests.”