WTVP-TV 47 seems to be moving from crisis management to correction and prevention.

The ongoing audit by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) may conclude this month, said President and CEO Jenn Gordon after her first board meeting May 21 and the station’s annual meeting June 11.

JENN GORDON

“We are optimistic that we will get through the CPB audit and move forward in good standing with the CPB, with funding reinstated,” she said. “We anticipate a preliminary report submitted at the end of July.”

Some discussion last month noted that the station apparently doesn’t have some records that CPB requested.

In other business, WTVP’s insurance claim was resolved.

“We received from the Cincinnati Insurance Company the sum of $250,000 (the maximum for our policy) for an Employee Theft Claim submitted,” Gordon continued. “The board sees this as external validation that mishandling of funds occurred under prior leadership.”

The crisis went public about nine months ago after WTVP CEO Lesley Matuszak resigned and committed suicide the next day. The public-TV station’s board said there had been “questionable, unauthorized or improper” spending, cut some 30% of its budget, suspended publication of its costly magazine, laid off workers, admitted a shortfall of hundreds of thousands of dollars, and, over time, replaced board members.

Meanwhile, responding to a Freedom of Information request by The Community Word, the Peoria Police Department said its investigation of whether there had been financial wrongdoing is still pending.

Board Chairman John Wieland said, when time permits, the Peoria Police detective leading the department’s inquiry will interview two or three more people before wrapping up.

Still ahead is another audit, from the Federal Communications Commission.

JOHN WIELAND

“FCC has contacted us on an audit,” Wieland said., “but it was completely random and has nothing to do with the [rest]. This is a periodic audit that all stations have. They granted us an extension since we are focused on the [CPB audit].”

Meanwhile, business at the annual meeting included changing one board member, retaining a second who’ll continue as treasurer, and losing a key employee to retirement.

• The board named retired Peoria Fire Chief Jim Bachman to fill the vacancy created by Kim Armstrong, whose term expired;
• Board member and long-time treasurer Helen Barrick — who’s worked with Wieland for years and whose late husband was part of Wieland’s company, MH Equipment — will continue as treasurer at least through her current board term, which had been due to expire in 2026; and
• Chief Engineer Jim Jordan is retiring.

“Jordan has been the chief engineer at WTVP about 30 years,” commented Becky Doubleday of the independent Friends of 47 group. “Alex Ferrell is in training to take his position — big shoes to fill. This work isn’t just a checklist that’s turned over to a new person. There’s a lot of troubleshooting in the job, much in the same way that it’s hard to replace expertise in old IT systems. And it’s not just WTVP that’s affected. WCBU is on the same tower.”

Also last month, the board unanimously amended its bylaws. “Changes include 1) reducing the number of consecutive terms that a board member may serve on the board of directors, 2) limiting the number of terms an officer may serve on the Executive Board, and 3) adopting a whistleblower policy to promote accountability, transparency and oversight,” Gordon said.

Further, the board created advisory committees to augment the standing committees of Executive, Governance, and Audit/Investment, “which range from Buildings and Grounds, to Community Engagement/Events,” Gordon continued. “The advisory committees will provide the board meaningful opportunities to engage with the mission of WTVP and enhance its impact in our community.”

With budget cuts and anticipated funding, WTVP finished the Fiscal Year ending June 30 “in the black,” said Wieland, adding that the following year’s balance budgeted was approved last month.

Finally, the May 21 board meeting conceded that some long-time employees had left WTVP in “less than ideal” circumstances and recognized Bill Baker, Luann Claudin and H. Wayne Wilson with a reception.