File Photo Parent Involvement Coordinator Perry Eaton explains how Bear Radio is operated in its studio at the Brownsboro Independent School District administration building. Entering its third year, Brownsboro High School's Web-based Bear Radio has expanded its program, acquired a tower, and is working to purchase a broadcast translator to increase signal strength once the station goes on frequency.

"My goal is to try to get people out there more connected to what we have here at the school," Parent In- volvement Coordinator Perry Eaton said. "We try to produce things for the school, and we want moms and dads to listen to it."

Bear Radio is operated by 16 students each year who earn class credits for their work. They're taught how to use the equipment, to communicate with sponsors, and to build relationships on campus and in the community. Students who've been in the program for a year must mentor others who are new to the class.

"It's kind of a new deal," Eaton said. "They're getting a taste of what a real radio station is, but they are mainly peer taught. Each has a different responsibility and a sponsor. They have to take care of their own commercials and build relationships with businesses."

Bear Radio students must be in the 10th grade or above, and are scrutinized on trustworthiness and dependability, Eaton said.

"The high school students help with our junior broadcasting, which we started last year. And the ones who are already in the program have to teach the new students. They're graded on their ability to do that."

Colton Croley, a senior, said students in the radio program are proud of what they've done.

"We all have put quite a bit into making Bear Radio a success," he said. "We built it from the ground up and that is why we are proud of getting a FM dial."

Eaton started the class in August 2007. When he and others visited the Hallsville Independent School District to look into its radio program, they decided to seek FCC approval for a building permit.

"When I called the FCC, they said they didn't even have a window open for applying for building permits," Eaton said. "They opened one for one week, did a frequency check, and none were available here. But we did find one about 15 miles away. Once you file and get that tower, you can file for a translator. So that's what we did, and we got the building permit."

A tower was donated by Northland Cable to the Brownsboro Independent School District, but Bear Radio still needs a translator.

Its building permit allows for 2,000 watts on the 100- foot tower, and that's not strong enough to reach the district's coverage area. The translator would relay or repeat the station's signal to the area not covered by the tower.

"We hope we can continue to expand it so we can get it on the air as well as on the Internet," Superintendent Elton Caldwell said. "We think that will be a very good tool to help us get information out to parents."

To complete the project, the school would need about $100,000, Eaton said.

"My goal this year is to get the sponsorships up and purchase the translator. If that doesn't happen, I've got a permit I could sell. This is going to be a major year, and the school board is behind us 100 percent. The board and superintendent have been incredible."

Beginning Aug. 27, The Chandler-Brownsboro Statesman will sponsor Bear Radio's "The Coaches Show" each Wednesday at 11:30, with John Settle and Kevin McCarthy. Businesses, parents, and other supporters are encouraged to participate.

"I'm really excited about us having the coaches show there," Eaton said. "I would love it for people to come by the paper and check out what we're doing. I think this is something that's going to be good for the community. "

The call letters and frequency for Bear Radio are KLTB 91.1. To listen online, visit brownsboro.k12.tx.us. Programming includes music, school announcements and events, sports coverage, and an agriculture show.