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On March 13, 2018, the Tamalpais Union High School District voted 3-2 to eliminate all full-time certificated librarian positions for the 2018-2019 school year. However, this decision is not final. With your support, we can ensure that our students continue to have access to a full-time, certificated librarians at Tamalpais, Redwood and Drake High Schools.
The proposal was made Superintendent David Yoshihara as part of a potential solution to balance the district budget. This is at a time where we have an increase in student enrollment. Our students need staffing maintained or even better, increased at this critical time.
Lack of access to a certified librarian will have a negative effect on our students' education. Study after study proves that student achievement is substantially higher for students who come from high schools that have librarians and library programs.
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California school districts are required to provide library services to their students and teachers. [Ed Code section 18100] Services provided by non-credentialed personnel shall not include those activities requiring possession of a valid Teacher Librarian Services Credential. [Ed Code section 44868] The Teacher Librarian Services Credential authorizes the holder to instruct pupils in the choice and use of library materials; to plan and coordinate school library programs with the instructional programs of a school district; to select materials for school and district libraries; to coordinate or supervise library programs at the school, district or county level; to plan and conduct a course of instruction for those pupils who assist in the operation of school libraries; to supervise classified personnel assigned school library duties; and to develop procedures for and management of the school and district libraries.
The California Model School Library Standards, adopted by the state board of education in 2010, include the following: “The school library is staffed by a team consisting of a credentialed teacher librarian and paraprofessional staff”. A credentialed teacher librarian is essential to an effective school library program, yet only nine percent of school libraries in California are staffed with teacher librarians.
The next board meeting will be held 6 pm, March 27, 2018, Kreps Conference Room; 395 Doherty Drive, Larkspur, California. The public may comment on the impact of fully staffed libraries on student learning by filling out a speaker card. Each speaker is allowed 3 minutes, however, if there are many speakers, the time may be reduced to 2 minutes.