There are two possible positions here it seems. While I could understand if there is a concern. I know that many districts and schools have faced budget cuts and a possible reason could be the inability to fund a library or that it is using valuable school space. If you HAVE to chose between more classrooms to accomodate more students or a library, then you would probably want the additional classrooms to keep the class sizes down. In addition, as much as this new library would need enhancements or repairs, there may not be money to pay for it. I would first ask to see the districts budget. If it isn't financially feasible, then I would try to fund them yourselves with donations and/or a drive.
However, if this is coming purely from an anti-library standpoint, it's absurd. He probably doesn't like the media attention because it will give the other schools ideas. If it is financially feasible, if the reasons behind it aren't financial, FIGHT! It's a ridiculous position and not supportive of literacy. Many children may never have access to a book if not for their school libraries.
A library isn't important!?! What role does this person take in curriculum and education decisions? I hope none, because he/she sounds like an idiot. Perhaps your group needs to go enmasse to meet with this person and show him the support you have behind your library. Bring records of how frequently the library is used, how many volunteer hours are given to the project, and have some teachers give testimony to the importance of this facility.
If this person is an employee of the school district, then you the taxpayers are their employer and therefore should have a voice in what is provided at your school. He is probably throwing a fit about the article, because he doesn't want to have the "whole world" find out what an a$$ he is.
From a financial standpoint, have you tried to apply for grants from any businesses or organizations. There are many who have programs set up specifically to support reading iniciatives. Keep us informed and give us more details and someone on here may be able to steer you in a positive direction.
Our president received a phone call at home the other day from the CEO of our School District, screaming and yelling at her for an upcoming article to be placed in our local newspaper. The regional office was the point of origin for all of this and they told the reporter to contact our president for further info.
Our district is not committed to libraries. At our school, our library is near and dear to us and most of our fundraising has been for it. Our volunteers/parents at the school made the library themselves, without any help from the district. If we did not do it, there would be no library. Then we had an issue about classroom space and administration decided to take our library and make it 2 additional classrooms. We got shoved into the basement into a room that smells badly and needs a good cleaning. We are also directly under a GIRLS bathroom; thus, plenty of pipes are on the ceiling of the new library. Bottom line: We do not like this and feel that the district should at least clean up the room, carpet it, rip out the walk-in kitchen and purchase new furniture. Then we, the volunteers can get in there and do what we do.
The CEO told our president that he was sick of hearing our "sob story" and that libraries are not necessary. He visited our school a few months ago and promised "the works", but of course, nothing he said has happened. He was very unprofessional and rude in this phone call. The president does not know what to do now. We keep telling her to stick to your guns. Are we right for telling her this? What, as an organization should we do? We fear retribution! We are slated to get an addition to our school, creating more space. Do we sit and let this blow over, or do we fight this? What would you do?
