Analysis:
This story was prompted by a candidate forum held at the Grand Rapids Public Schools main campus. In the beginning of the story the channel 8 reporter tells us that eight people are running for school board positions, even providing some video b-roll of the forum. However, they never tell us who is running.
The rest of the story is informative, in that it provides a context for viewers about the issues that the school district faces, but why not have candidates respond to questions surrounding these “tough decisions?” What channel does tell viewers that if they want to find out something about the 8 candidates go to the WOOD TV 8 website. We did go to their website and found a short bio on each candidate and streamed video footage of comments from each of the candidates that range from 5 seconds to 18 seconds. Viewers should ask themselves why channel 8 has 1) limited coverage of candidates to their website, 2) provided unequal time in the video clips online, and 3) not done any real journalism by asking candidates relevant questions that could inform viewers/voters?
Story:
WOOD TV 8 Reporter - The Grand Rapids Public School District is in a tough spot. It is $18 million in the red, and the current board has already had to make some very painful cuts. Thursday night, a forum introduced the public to eight people who want to win a seat on that school board, and according to the superintendent and current board members, these candidates should know that the tough cuts are just beginning. Eight people showed themselves to the community, hoping they'll be elected to one of three school board seats, a volunteer job that is by no means an easy one, especially right now.
GRPS Superintendent - They are going to face a series of really difficult decisions.
WOOD TV 8 Reporter - Already Grand Rapids Public Schools has cut almost $50 million over the past five years. The ax most recently fell on the district's bus drivers, and there's more to come. All this will be happening in the first year of their term.
GRPS Superintendent - …closing facilities, tough budget questions, superintendent succession planning….
GRPS Board VP - There is nowhere to go, to move, to hide from this. We have to do the best we can.
WOOD TV 8 Reporter - With that in mind, Bleke and current board members like Vice President Amy McGlynn say the board needs people who are open minded, don't have a personal agenda, and are prepared to do things that don't always make people happy.
GRPS Board VP - We need a board that listens to people but keeps an eye on the big picture, which is what is the best you can achieve out of this situation for children.
WOOD TV 8 Reporter - Making tough decisions can take a tough skin. McGlynn knows first hand, but she says a tough skin can't equate to a tough heart.
GRPS Board VP - You want to be able to feel the pain of the choices to make sure you're doing the very best possible thing. I don't want someone whose impervious to it.
WOOD TV 8 Reporter - School board elections are May 3 this year because of election consolidation. To find out about each of the eight candidates running and to see an interview with them, go to WOODTV.com, under the education section.
Total Time: 2 minutes and 36 seconds
