I'm supposed to be off social media this week

[dampscribbler]

...but I just found out that our school district budget as it stands cuts EVERY school librarian -- aka "Media Specialist" -- in the district next year. Every one.  Class sizes will increase by 15-25% and up to 10 days will be cut from the calendar. The latter two I already knew about, but now I find that the classroom teachers will be expected to try to fill in the lessons that the school librarians provide (and at the elementary level there is a lesson at least once a week from the librarian on how to use media and resources as well as guidance about staying safe online) while still covering all the material they're covering now, with more kids and less time.

The ONLY listening session for the budget is tomorrow night. I've got the public speaking skills of a four-year-old. I cry when I talk about things that are important. I've got about 30 hours to try to prepare a statement on a subject I know next-to-nothing about (the budget) and then I have to go talk in front of what, with any luck, will be hundreds of people about the huge mistake of letting the librarians go. In addition to doing everything else that I needed to do in the next two days.  

I'm already feeling paralyzed.  

Comments

[jelazakazone.livejournal.com]

Why are school boards so dumb? Good luck! You can do it.

[dampscribbler.livejournal.com]

I'm not even sure what *to* do. I need to get a sense for the budget and figure out how to put together a statement but what I really need is the district families to understand what's at stake. And SO many programs are being cut, it's all severely painful.

Thanks for the cheer, though. It helps, a bit.

[jelazakazone.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Some things are understandable, but to cut the librarians? NO! Go, talk. Do. You can do it.

[dampscribbler.livejournal.com]

Must...breathe...

[chillyrodent.livejournal.com]

By "cut," do you mean they've ALL been canned? Or, their hours have been cut? Pretty dismal.

[newport2newport.livejournal.com]

You have --and are--everything you need to make that presentation. You can't control the eventual outcome, of course, but you can breathe reason (and grace) into the moment, if/when you speak from your heart.

I'll be sending all good thoughts your way. Praying that they will listen and truly hear... xoxo

[dampscribbler.livejournal.com]

I mean they are eliminating the position district-wide. No more librarians. Period.

I feel like throwing up.

[dampscribbler.livejournal.com]

My social anxiety disorder begs to differ. But your words mean a lot. Thank you so much.

I'm terrified.

[newport2newport.livejournal.com]

((Hugs))

Remind yourself that you are there for a laudable purpose. Stand tall in that truth.

[dampscribbler.livejournal.com]

Aaaannnd a neighbor just called and offered to read my statement at the meeting tomorrow night! Thanks so much for putting a bit of wind beneath my wings! :)

[dampscribbler.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for inspiring strength. I emailed my statement out to some neighbors and one called (President of the PTO no less) to say that she would read it at the meeting tomorrow. :)

Whew!

[jelazakazone.livejournal.com]

Wahoooo! Look at you, being an awesome force for good. You are getting the message out!!

[dampscribbler.livejournal.com]

:-)

[writerjenn.livejournal.com]

... and then they will be surprised when the kids suffer and the remaining teachers get frazzled.

People need to remember that education (which includes librarians) isn't some throwaway budget item. It's not a luxury, to be slashed in hard times. It's an INVESTMENT. In something people claim to care greatly about: our CHILDREN.
(I promise not to start singing "children are our future" now.)
Another thing people don't understand is that the internet has increased, not decreased, our need to be able to find good sources and use them wisely.

Good on you for speaking up!

[dampscribbler.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Jenn. It's really hard, even just writing my post and email was emotionally draining, but I can't sit by and do nothing. As I told my neighbor on the phone today, I knew it was getting worse, but I had no idea it was getting this much worse.