Letter to the editor: Terminated Morristown High staff member on the fate of WJSV-FM

Steve Woodruff. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Steve Woodruff. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
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Editor’s note: This week we reported students’ stunned reaction to the abrupt release of Steve Woodruff, chief engineer at WJSV 90.5 FM, the Morristown High School radio station. Here is his side of the story.

WJSV was my second home for many years, I treated it like it was my own…and now I don’t know what will happen to it.

When I started there years ago, the station was almost completely all analog….hundreds of wires everywhere and outdated, antiquated equipment. (Parts of it looked like the garbage compactor scene from Star Wars!) My duty was, in short, to bring it into the 21st century.

Steve Woodruff. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Steve Woodruff. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

With the help of some good people, time, and effort, the students, Mr. Butler and I have succeeded and excelled. The station is now completely digital and one of the highlights of any tour for prospective students.

As I leave through these doors for the last time and look around, I know we’ve done exceptionally well and I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished.

The last time an FCC inspector came by he commented that the station was in better shape technically that most commercial stations he’s seen. ..and that was wonderful to hear.

With regards to my current situation, I was informed that due to budgetary constraints they will be terminating my position. I was quite surprised as WJSV has been around since the ’70s and I had been a part of it for the last 10 years…

I have had the honor of being a part of WJSV and its long legacy and I can only thank everyone that I have met along the way. As an alumnus said to me, “Over the years, you have met and helped many teachers, students, and parents in the Morris School District, you have had a positive impact on all of them.”

And I would add — they in turn have helped me as well. I would love to have my job back, I would love for the kids to continue to have a place to call their own, I would gladly take a salary reduction and help the School District find ways to save money regarding WJSV, but unfortunately I haven’t had a chance to speak on my behalf or ask for a different assignment/position within the district.

“Just because these kids aren’t jocks or super popular shouldn’t mean that they won’t have a place to thrive in the Morris School District. They deserve it. They’ve earned it. They are extremely talented, intellectual, and self-aware.”

But I honestly don’t want to make this about me…I cannot stress enough that without continued involvement from the parents, not only will I have lost my job, but countless students may not have a place to go, and the cool legacy of WJSV 90.5 FM may be gone forever.

It is one of the few student-run, FCC -icensed FM stations in the country, not to mention in the state of New Jersey. (The license is itself worth a pretty penny, but it means so much more than that. Anyone who has ever come down to the station to see the exceptional work the students are producing and their sense of school community will see this is quite self-evident.)

I would love for the parents, students, and alumni to go to the next Board of Education meeting and let them know that they want to keep the FM station. It probably won’t get my job back, but at least the kids will still have a place.

Just because these kids aren’t jocks or super popular shouldn’t mean that they won’t have a place to thrive in the Morris School District. They deserve it. They’ve earned it. They are extremely talented, intellectual, and self-aware. I wish them all the best and much, much more.

Even if they do remove the station eventually, myself and all who came through its doors will have shared something that cannot be taken away.

Excelsior, my friends! Be well. I have never met a finer bunch of wonderful misfits deserving of a place to call home. My family and I thank you all.

With warm regards,

Steve Woodruff

MORE ABOUT WJSV 90.5 FM

8 COMMENTS

  1. Steve Woodruff is a terrific guy. I spoke with him many times over the five years that both of my MHS student children were involved in WJSV and I was there chaperoning any number of events at the station. Always upbeat, friendly and willing to take the time to teach and show the students how to do something new, Steve will be sadly missed and I hope for his sake that he moves on to bigger and better things. MHS will be poorer as a result.

  2. WJSV is a cornerstone of MHS. It is the place where the really smart/ tech kids hang-out – – I bet when Craig of Craig’s List fame was at MHS, he was there.

  3. …. Ms. Stein, if you don’t KNOW about “any more” to this story, perhaps you should “say less”??!! There’s a thought.

  4. Wow. As a graduate of MHS in 1991, I have always mentioned my hs had a radio station. Not many people can say that. Very sorry to hear. Can only hope this isn’t permanent.

  5. As a former student of Mr. Woodruff and current high school teacher myself today, I can tell you that he is one of the most sincerely genuine, warm, and welcoming professionals I have ever encountered in the entirety of my experience in education. He is a man with an unceasing smile and dedication to both his craft and his students.

  6. Budget cuts?!? It wouldn’t be right, but give the students, parents, and other teachers you inspired a chance and we would pay your salary ten times over.

    P.S.- Wonderful piece. The students were wronged just as much as you on this one

  7. Superintendent said station will remain so nobody panic. Obviously more to this story…. people don’t get terminated abruptly w/o cause.

  8. God bless you Mr. Woodruff. You have had such a profoundly positive impact on the shaping and development of my son Jeremy. I can’t thank you enough.

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