Title
Authorization To Execute a Renewal Sublease Contract for the Transmission of Los Angeles Unified School District Broadcasts
Facilities Services Division
end
Brief Description:
description
(Authorization To Execute a Renewal Sublease Contract for the Transmission of Los Angeles Unified School District Broadcasts) Recommends approval to authorize the Chief Facilities Executive/designee to negotiate and execute a 9.5-year (July 1, 2026 - December 31, 2035) renewal sublease with Public Media Group of Southern California (PBS SoCal/KCET) for KLCS-TV transmitter space on Mount Wilson. This agreement will ensure continued transmission of LAUSD educational programming and Board meetings. The proposed rent is $140,826.05 for the remainder of 2026 (reflecting a mid-year start and a 3.5% increase from 2025), increasing to $281,652.09 annually for Years 2-5 with no increase during that period. In Year 6, rent increases by 3.5% to $291,509.91 annually for the remainder of the term. An annual equipment fee of $64,498.40 (1% increase from 2025) will apply for Years 1-5, increasing to $65,143.38 in Year 6, representing the District's 50% share of a backup generator with a total estimated value of sublease $3,340,943.69.
end
Recommendation
Action Proposed:
Authorize the Chief Facilities Executive, or her designee, to extend the existing sublease agreement with KCET for the KLCS-TV transmitter space located at Mount Wilson tower for a term of nine and one-half (9.5) years, commencing July 1, 2026, and ending December 31, 2035, with a total estimated sublease value of $3,340,943.69.
This authorization also includes the execution of the sublease renewal agreement and any related instruments necessary to effectuate the extension.
end
Body
Background:
The District has subleased approximately 995 square feet of space for transmission equipment and tower (antenna) use at the KLCS-TV facility on Mount Wilson since August 15, 1984. The sublease has been extended previously in 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and most recently through a month-to-month agreement executed on December 11, 2025 for up to six months. The current agreement is set to expire on June 30, 2026. The proposed extension would establish a new term from July 1, 2026 through December 31, 2035.
The Mount Wilson facility (located on Mt. Wilson Road, Pasadena, CA 91023) houses the KLCS transmission tower (antenna) and equipment (shared emergency generator), which are necessary for KLCS transmission of educational programming and Board meetings. KLCS is one of only seven television stations in the nation licensed to a K-12 school district. KLCS is a member of the Public Broadcasting Service and broadcasts 24 hours a day to approximately fifteen million viewers reaching over 150 school districts throughout Southern California.
Public Media Group of Southern California d/b/a PBS SoCal (formerly KCETLink) is the licensee of noncommercial educational television station KCET. LAUSD, on behalf of KLCS, executed a Channel Sharing Agreement on May 28, 2015, which sets forth KCET and the District’s obligation to share one broadcast channel and co-manage the technical infrastructure (inclusive of costs) of such transmitter. This Channel Sharing Agreement requires that KLCS and KCET share in the maintenance and operation of the transmission system. The District’s renewal of the sublease constitutes its contribution to the ongoing operational costs of the shared transmission system.
This site is not located within District Boundaries.
Expected Outcomes:
Approval of the sublease renewal with KCET for KLCS-TV will allow continued television broadcasting coverage over the entire District boundary, ensuring consistent and equitable access to educational programming, Board of Education meetings, and other District content. Approval also ensures continued compliance with the Channel Sharing Agreement.
Board Options and Consequences:
A “Yes” vote will allow the District to continue to broadcast KLCS-TV programming to the District’s service area.
A “No” vote would require the District to identify and rely on third-party partnerships for broadcasting. This could result in interruption of District broadcasting as well as default under the Channel Sharing Agreement.
Policy Implications:
The requested action does not impact current District policies.
Budget Impact:
Current Rent: $335,987.42 payable annually, which includes an annual base rent of $272,127.62 and an equipment fee of $63,859.80.
Proposed Rent: The proposed rent for the remainder of 2026 (Year 1) is $140,826.05 and is due on July 1, 2026. Because the term begins mid-year, the Year 1 amount represents approximately one-half of the full annual rent which has increased 3.5 percent from the 2025 annual rent rate. On an annualized basis, the rent beginning in Year 2 is $281,652.09. The rent for Years 2 through 5 will remain fixed with no annual increases during that period. In Year 6, the annual rent will increase by an additional 3.5 percent to $291,509.91 per year, and will remain at that rate for the remainder of the term
Equipment Fee: The proposed equipment fee of $64,498.40 per year (1 percent over the 2025 rate) for Years 1-5 and a 1 percent increase in Year 6 to $65,143.38 per year for the remaining term. This fee represents 50 percent of the annual equipment rental fee for an emergency backup generator shared equally between KCET and District.
|
Base Year |
(Year 1*) |
Years 2-5 |
Years 6-10 |
|
Term Period |
July 1, 2026 |
2027-2030 |
2031-2035 |
|
Annual Rent |
$140,826.05 |
$281,652.09 |
$291,509.91 |
|
|
(3.5% increase) |
(no increase) |
(3.5% increase) |
|
Base Year |
(Year 1*) |
Years 2-5 |
Years 6-10 |
|
Annual Equipment Fee |
$32,249.20 |
$64,498.40 |
$65,143.38 |
|
|
(1% increase) |
(no increase) |
(1% increase) |
|
Total Annual Fee |
$173,075.25 |
$346,150.49 |
$356,653.30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Year 1*) Jul. 2026 - Dec. 2026 |
Years 2-5 Jan. 2027 - Dec. 2030 |
Years 6-10 Jan. 2031 - Dec. 2035 |
|
Total Term Fees |
$173,075.25 |
$1,384,601.96 |
$1,783,266.48 |
|
*Year 1 fees reflect 50% of the Years 2-5 annual rates to account for the July 1, 2026 commencement date. |
The total base rent and equipment fee cost of this sublease over the total 9.5-year term is $3,340,944. Funding for this sublease will be provided from the General Fund, Program Code 5129.
Student Impact:
KLCS broadcasts 12 hours of instructional programming each school day and strives to support and enhance the classroom experience. As a multimedia education channel, KLCS serves learners of all ages - including Pre-K, K-12 students, adult learners, families, educators, and staff - by providing accessible programming that educates, informs, and supports academic, personal, and professional growth across diverse communities.
Issues and Analysis:
The District’s current sublease with KCET contains annual CPI increases of at least 3.5 percent. The proposed extension of the sublease eliminates this annual percentage increase for each subsequent year of the term period except for the first and sixth year of the sublease term. Recently, KCET amended its Articles of Incorporation to change its name to Public Media Group of Southern California d/b/a PBS SoCal. In all future reports, KCET will be noted as PBS SoCal.
Attachments:
None.
Submitted:
04/16/26
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, APPROVED BY:
______________________________ _____________________________
ANDRES E. CHAIT PEDRO SALCIDO
Acting Superintendent Deputy Superintendent,
Business Services and Operations
REVIEWED BY: APPROVED & PRESENTED BY:
______________________________ ______________________________
DEVORA NAVERA REED KRISZTINA TOKES
General Counsel Chief Facilities Executive
Facilities Services Division
___ Approved as to form.
REVIEWED BY: APPROVED & PRESENTED BY:
______________________________ ______________________________
KURT E. JOHN ISSAM DAHDUL
Deputy Chief Financial Officer Director of Facilities
Planning and Development
Facilities Services Division
___ Approved as to budget impact statement.