McKeesport Area School District: Livestreaming contract renewed

By JEFF STITT

jstitt@yourmvi.com

McKeesport Area School Board officially approved a contract Wednesday to ensure athletic and other district events will continue to be livestreamed during the coronavirus pandemic.

The board unanimously agreed to pay Kisan Productions to continue providing video recording and streaming services to the district at a rate of $35 per hour.

Board President Joe Lopretto asked Superintendent Dr. Mark Holtzman to explain why the district was entering into the contract, and why it is needed.

Mike Kisan of Kisan Productions has provided video and livestream services for MASD for quite some time, Holtzman said.

The superintendent said it’s become popular during the pandemic for parents, students, alumni and community members to view livestreams of sporting events, such as Tuesday’s boys basketball game against Kiski Area, and other events, such as Francis McClure Elementary’s mock election and the high school music program’s Veterans Day concert program and 2020 holiday concert.

Holtzman said viewing Tigers wrestling, basketball, soccer, volleyball and some football games online has been especially popular “due to the limited amount of parents that are able to attend, family members, friends, supporters of our programs to watch our student athletes perform.”

“This service is essential at this particular time and probably into the future,” he said. 

Kisan had no intentions of ceasing its services to the district, but Holtzman said he wanted to officially ensure the board’s approval.

“We were just kind of resurfacing (Kisan Productions) hourly wage and the effort that is made because it’s been several years since we’ve approved anything officially,” Holtzman said.

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