Emiliano Valdez, director of McCate at the Monterey County Office of Education, told the Santa Rita Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees that his program can bring hands-on video production, a mobile broadcast truck and teacher professional development to district schools.

Valdez said the Media Center for Arts, Culture and Technology (McCate) provides equipment, curricula and short-turnaround production services and that students operate camera, audio and switching equipment as part of the program. "We provide hands on professional learning models," Valdez said. He described classroom-aligned activities — from morning newscasts run on a movable cart to after‑school short‑film programs — and said McCate broadcasts student work on a Comcast channel and can supply a mobile production truck for live events.

The presentation emphasized career and communication skills, grade-span sequencing and sustainability: McCate trains teachers, places professional equipment at school sites and aims to create self‑sustaining programs so student production continues after initial support. Valdez said McCate has piloted a campus news cart with PTZ cameras, offers summer and intersession programs and can host field trips to its county facilities.

Board members asked about funding and next steps. Trustee Cindy Lopez asked whether McCate’s funding had been affected by recent changes; Valdez said the program has expanded work with Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) funding since the pandemic and that ELOP and other CTE/STEAM sources can support district participation. Dr. Prather Smith, who introduced the presenter during the director’s report, told the board McCate’s student component was a priority for district outreach.

Trustees expressed interest in touring the McCate facilities. Valdez said staff would prepare a finer proposal and schedule site visits and that he would return to the board with options at a future meeting.

The presentation included examples of prior McCate work, including PSAs and a mobile broadcast setup for sporting events and speech tournaments; Valdez said McCate offers accommodations for students who cannot be filmed and provides behind‑the‑scenes roles to ensure broad participation.

The board did not take action on the presentation; staff said a formal proposal and timeline would be brought to a future meeting for consideration.

The district’s next regular board meeting is scheduled for May 14, 2025, when trustees said they expect to revisit McCate’s proposal and other outstanding items.