hours; contract jazz and electronic music. Weekend
ethnic programs were hosted by volunteers who provided their own, recorded
music. The station was funded by the School System, and subsidised by a local
nonprofit organization called "Friends of WYMS" who raised moneys through
on air fund-raisers, and some off site events.

On April 29, 2002 the Milwaukee School Board administrators and the School
Superintendent locked the door to the studio at the Milwaukee School System
Administration building and gave the paid staff their notices of termination
of employment. The many volunteers who hosted local programs were denied
access to the studio. Although the School Board is the actual owner of the
station, they were not consulted. In the following days the School administrators
had the station simulcast programming from another local public radio station,
and later hired a contract program serviceto provide eight to ten hours
of jazz per day, which is repeated as necessary to fill the twenty-four hour
broadcast day.

On May 20, 2002 the School Board held a special meeting to air ideas for
the disposition of the station. The meeting filled with angry listeners who
demanded to have their previous programming returned. Some School Board members
claimed the station cost too much, and the "Friends" contributions were
negligible. The Friends said that they contributed more than the School System
did. The School Board was clearly divided, and could not reach any consensus.

The School Board created a Community Advisory committee consisting of prominent
independent citizens whose mission was to find the best plan for the future
of WYMS. The Committee decided to ask that interested parties in the community
make proposals to manage the station for