The Weatherspoon Charitable Foundation donated $7,000 to the Swampscott High School television program, which was approved by the Swampscott School Committee on Thursday, January 8.

“Wow,” said Vice Chair Glenn Paster. “That is incredibly generous.”

The Weatherspoon Charitable Foundation is based in Nahant, and the group’s grant-making focuses on education, philanthropy and human services, according to instrumentl. Media Arts Instructor JoE Douillette said the donation comes from a former member of the television program, to whom the program meant a lot to.

“As we’re doing budgets for both the school and the town, and we’re watching cable revenue drop, I am realizing I am not in the same position that I have been in for the past 10 years,” said Douillette. “This $7,000 is going to be key for either replacing some of the TV cameras that I purchased eight or nine years ago when I had more money to play with that I don’t have now.”

Douillette said the donation comes at a perfect time and will allow the media program to continue to help provide meaningful experiences for students. Swampscott TV provides the opportunity for high school students to use and train with professional video equipment. The content is broadcasted on the Public TV Channel as well as on YouTube. Douillette recently shared that the high school auditorium has seen a technological upgrade.

The district is also working to launch an information technology Innovation Pathway in fall 2026. 

“The TV program continues to expand and continues to do really new and exciting things,” said Paster. “As technology changes, Mr. Douillette is on the cutting edge of that and the $7,000 goes a very long way in our school district.”