Funding & Joint Task Force
We can all be proud of this accomplishment, it is a great first step in making sure our school libraries do not wither away. It is the first time a line-item has appeared in a budget for money to spent on school libraries. CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE WHO WORKED SO HARD. . . you were described by one legislative aide as a 'citizen's army'!
WHAT WE NEED TO DO NOW TO MOVE TO A PERMANENT FUNDING SOLUTION:
1. Please send an email to the Joint Task Force on Basic Education Finance and ask that they include school libraries as a part of the new definition of basic education. here
2. Ask that the question be added to the list currently being considered by the committee
CALENDAR OF JOINT TASK FORCE MEETINGS pdf doc
It is critical we provide feedback to this body that will re-write the definition of basic education for the first time since 1977 and provide recommendations for a new funding formula--education reform begun in 1993. The reason school libraries have had their funding reduced and removed is that this program is not considered part of basic education.
Final 2008 Supplemental Budget for K-12 Public Schools pdf
2008 Supplemental Budget language for a line-item of $4MM to 'augment current funding' for school library services. pdf