Sinclair has created the Project Baltimore investigative unit to look into the public schools in its local area.
Led by Chris Papst, the team will have seven journalists working out of Sinclair corporate headquarters in Hunt Valley, Maryland who will focus on Baltimore County and Baltimore Public Schools. Sinclair says the team intends to investigate budgets, school facilities, test scores, teacher pay, school violence, athletics, unions and other components of the education system. The reports will start airing on WBFF later this month.
“The spending per student is among the highest in the country, so we are asking, ‘what are the students, parents and taxpayers getting for their money?'” said Sinclair’s vp of News, Scott Livingston.
“Our newsroom is very excited about this important investigative initiative,” said WBFF GM Bill Fanshawe. “We believe this content will be of very high interest to viewers across our region. Baltimore and the surrounding areas are terrific places and the area’s families deserve the best education system available.”
“This is a long-term project,” said Sinclair’s Director of News Content Bill Anderson. “There are many layers to this story. It can’t be told in a week or a month. These continuing reports will air year-round.”