News

URGENT UPDATE: Funding Cuts Threaten SECC Programming 

The Sacramento Metropolitan Cable Television Commission cut our budget this school year. We have no reason to believe they won’t do the same this coming year at their June 4 meeting. We need your help to be sure this doesn’t happen and that we can continue to support K-12 media educators and their students, and adult learners throughout Sacramento.

 

What This Means

For years, SECC has served as a vital platform for:

• Educational content for students, families, and lifelong learners
• Coverage of local events, school programming, and public interest topics
• Opportunities for student and teacher voices to be heard
• Media training and production experience for emerging creators and journalists

A reduction in funding will directly impact:

• Program production and scheduling
• Staffing and operational capacity
• Equipment maintenance and upgrades
• Partnerships with schools and community organizations
• Events such as SEVAs and SEVAFest

How You Can Help

We are asking for community support to help sustain SECC during this critical time.

1. Stay Informed and Spread the Word

Share this message with friends, family, educators, and community members. Awareness is the first step toward action.

2. Contact Local Decision-Makers

Let county supervisors and cable commissioners know that SECC matters to you. Express your support for maintaining the funding we receive for the training, equipment and services we provide. Let them know that their decision will influence yours when it comes time to vote.  

3. Donate

If you are able, donations or sponsorships can help offset funding losses and keep programming available to the public. 

Contacts

Sacramento Metropolitan Cable Television Commission

Contact first: 

• Primary Commission email: sacmetro@saccounty.gov

Commission leadership:

• Kevin Spease (Board Chair): kspease@elkgrovecity.org
• Porsche Middleton (Board Vice Chair) pmiddleton@citrusheights.net

Commission members: 

• David Gull dgull@cityofsacramento.org
• James T Hackett-Little jhackettlittle@cityofsacramento.org
• Matt Hedges hedgesm@saccounty.gov
• Barbara Leary:  barbaral@folsom.ca.us
• Caity Maple cmaple@cityofsacramento.org
• Vanessa McCarthy-Olmstead: mccarthy-olmsteadv@saccounty.gov
• Alma Munoz:  munozalma@saccounty.gov
• Siri Pulipati spulipati@cityofranchocordova.org
• Keaton Riley rileyk@saccounty.gov
• Paul Sandhu: psandhu@cityofgalt.org
• Rebecca Sloan: sloanr@saccounty.gov

Also, contact your Sacramento County Supervisor:

• Primary BOS email: bos@saccounty.gov, (916) 874-5411
• District 1: Phil Serna, supervisorserna@saccounty.gov, (916) 874-5485
• District 2: Patrick Kennedy, supervisorkennedy@saccounty.gov, (916) 874-5481
• District 3: Rich Desmond, richdesmond@saccounty.gov, (916) 874-5471
• District 4: Rosario Rodriquez, supervisorrodriguez@saccounty.gov, (916) 874-5491
• District 5: Pat Hume, pathume@saccounty.gov, (916) 874-5465

Email template:

Subject: Protect community media funding

I am writing to express my support for community media in Sacramento County and my opposition to further cuts to SECC, Access Sacramento, KVIE and SacLifeTV.

Community media provides local programming, media education, civic information, and public access to storytelling tools that are not available anywhere else. SECC and other community media organizations serve residents, nonprofits, students, artists, journalists, and local communities whose voices are rarely included in traditional media.

Before any further funding decisions are made, I am asking the Commission to hold an open public discussion and review alternatives. The Commission has a responsibility to actively seek out and include public input on matters that impact the community and are paid for with cable subscribers’ money.

Please do not make additional cuts without considering alternatives and giving the public an opportunity to be heard before the June 4th Cable Commission meeting.

Thank you.

Voicemail script:

Hello, my name is [your name], and I’m calling to express my support for SECC and my opposition to cuts to community media funding. Before any further cuts are made, I urge the Commission to hold a public, transparent discussion and review alternatives.

Please protect community media funding and give the public a chance to be heard.

Thank you.

 

Introducing Our New Podcast: Lights, Camera, Learn! 

We’re excited to announce the launch of SECC’s newest podcast, Lights, Camera, Learn! — a show dedicated to exploring the world of student media, creativity, and education across the Sacramento region. Each episode features: Conversations with student creators – Behind-the-scenes looks at SEVA projects – Tips and inspiration for classrooms – Stories from educators, mentors, and media professionals. Listen via Spotify, Youtube, Apple Music or Patreon. 

SEVA TV Returns for Season 8! 

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of SEVA TV Season 8, bringing student storytelling back to screens across the Sacramento region! This season features: Award-winning SEVA videos – Fresh work from student filmmakers – Classroom spotlights and school news segments – Inspiring stories that highlight student creativity and community impact. New episodes are out now — tune in and enjoy!

Big Day of Giving 2026!

For the first time ever, SECC will be participating in Big Day of Giving 2026, a powerful day dedicated to supporting nonprofits and strengthening the organizations that serve our communities.

Recently, we experienced a 50% reduction in our funding, which makes community support more important than ever. While this change presents challenges, it also gives us an opportunity to come together, raise awareness, and invite others to be part of sustaining the work that SECC does every day.

On May 7th, we’ll be asking you and the rest of our community to help us continue our mission by making a donation. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us continue to provide the equipment, programs, services, and support that so many teachers and students rely on. 

In the weeks leading up to Big Day of Giving, we’ll be sharing stories, updates, and ways you can participate, whether that’s donating, or simply helping us spread the word.

We’re excited to take part in this incredible day of generosity for the first time, and we hope you’ll join us in making it a success.

Together, we can ensure that SECC continues to grow, serve, and make a lasting impact in our community.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us!

Explore the New SECC Member Portal!

We’re excited to introduce the brand-new SECC Member Portal — your centralized space for resources, collaboration, and community!

The portal is designed to help educators, students, and partners easily access tools that support media learning and classroom production. Inside, members will find:

• Classroom & Media Resources

• Project Guides & Tutorials

• News & Updates

• Event Information

• Community Discussion Spaces

Whether you’re looking to enhance student projects, stay informed about SEVA opportunities, or connect with other media-minded educators, the Member Portal is here to support you. Creating an account is quick and free. Once logged in, you’ll unlock exclusive content and features to help elevate media learning across your school or program.