Seattle Public Schools is the largest K-12 district in Washington state, whose school libraries provide rich and diverse reading and research resources as well as serving as a hub for information technology programs. Yet, the school board plans on eliminating these resources for our students!
We can’t deny access to school libraries in Seattle!
Please sign the petition to send an email to the school board to keep the libraries open.
Every $10 we raise helps us reach 1,000 more Seattle residents with this petition!
Seattle's 14,000 high school students rely on school librarians for hosting a vibrant commons suited for academic research and independent reading, homework help, tutoring and after school technology and other special-interest clubs. Librarians oversee textbook management and mobile technology access to ensure efficient and equitable distribution of resources and learning opportunities for all students they serve. Supported by certified teacher-librarians, Seattle's students thrive.
But all that is at risk if two current issues aren't addressed right now.
Seattle's two current bond levies promise to replace outdated school buildings, provide additional funding for special education and provide stronger technology infrastructure. Let's pass those levies on Feb 12th and support Seattle Schools.
Then, with the levy behind us, it's time to urgently address a current district proposal to cut secondary librarians to half-time positions in a move that threatens to shutter the biggest classroom in the school. This $2 million savings in a $1 billion district budget puts significant district learning resources as risk and would decimate services to high students that are needed for graduation and pursuit of college and career readiness.
We can't afford to give Seattle Public School students only half-time support that exacerbates inequities in educational opportunity. Reduced secondary librarian staffing denies instructional support and jeopardizes district resources.