School librarians make their case among budget cut talks

By Kayla Gahagan, Journal staff | Tuesday, June 17, 2008

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A row of librarian staff and supporters wore black "Got Books?" T-shirts last week at the Rapid City School District's regular board meeting as Rapid City Education Association co-president Nancy Kroeger presented a proposal countering the board's recent library budget cuts.

The district cut $2.7 million from next year's operating budget to keep from falling into the red by 2010. Restructuring the district's library program, estimated to save about half a million dollars, was included on the list of cuts.

The district's cuts included middle school librarians splitting their time among elementary libraries, which would mean closing the doors to students at the middle schools part of the day. At previous meetings, librarians expressed frustration that the program was being downsized, that students would have less time with them and that much time would be wasted traveling to all the schools.

Kroeger presented the board members with a new proposal that would require an additional 1.8 full time employees for the program, which would allow the middle school librarians to return to their libraries full time.

They suggested finding the money for the extra positions by cutting $12,000 from the general fund, including travel, dues and fees, funds for new media for the Resource Center, as well as a couple of part-time secretary positions.

"It's a more effective use of limited resources," Kroeger said.

Board member Eric Abrahamson said the board would probably not make a decision on the proposal, but it would be handled at a staffing level. Administration met with representatives of the group's proposal last week to talk about it. Kroeger said the two groups will meet again today.

"They're still trying to figure out what will make the best strategy," Abrahamson said.

Contact Kayla Gahagan at 394-8410 or Kayla.gahagan@rapidcityjournal.com