I recently learned that several of the School Library Media Specialist positions in Lockport City School District will be cut in the proposed 2023-2024 district budget. This especially impacts the elementary schools, as only one school librarian will cover the K-6 schools in the district.
While state Education Law requires that school library media specialists be placed in schools catering to grades 7-12, the law shockingly does not require them for grades K-6. This is concerning since school librarians are essential for fostering early literacy skills and cultivating the environment where children learn and grow.
I attended the budget hearing at the Lockport Board of Education’s May 3 meeting, hoping for more information on these job losses. The…
