FARMINGTON - When Brian Chagnon came to SAU 61 four years ago, his job as school district videographer consisted of covering school board meetings, and little else.

He has since expanded the program to involve community members and students, and has earned recognition from the Alliance of Community Media-Northeast for having the best overall community television station in all of New England and New York.

Chagnon, 34, said he was not a good student and bombed the SAT, so he is not used to receiving a pat on the back.

But the honors keep coming. Chagnon was nominated for a Governor's Art's in Education Award in 2010 and won the N.H. Cog Railway video contest the same year.

Chagnon's community station now provides live coverage of much more than school board meetings, and students are fully engaged in the production of a film each year.

The one Chagnon might be most proud of is a documentary made last year titled “Lightning In a Bottle” about the 1991 Middleton High School baseball team that won the state championship that year.

This year's film is being produced by middle school students and focuses on bullying prevention.

He said usually students start out knowing nothing about the film or the production process.

“We have been building the process from the ground up and it has been that way, not only with students, but with community members in town,” Chagnon said. “It started with virtually nothing and now the town is depending on seeing the basketball game live.”

Any live event being shown on the television station is also streamed live through the SAU's website for people who do not have access to the local cable channel.

Prior to coming to SAU 61, Chagnon worked at Salem Community Television and did some videography work with WMUR during the 2008 primary. Before that, he worked as a videographer in the corporate world.

He said earning recognition for his efforts, including being named to this year's list of “40 Under Forty” in the state, motivates him to keep going.

“Growing up, there wasn't always a pat on my back saying ‘good job.' Like I said, I bombed the SAT, I wasn't an awesome student, so it took awhile to recognize that we might actually be doing good things here,” Chagnon said. “It humbles me. It doesn't make my head expand.”

During spring weekends, Chagnon can often be found at Star Island, serving as a volunteer getting the island ready for summer guests.

He said there may be few things better after a day of lifting rocks and breaking things, than sitting on the deck of the Oceanic Hotel, watching the sunset.

Chagnon is not married, but does have a long-term girlfriend.