[Libs-Or] School Library Staffing: One thing OLA should do.

[Sybilla Cook]

Great ideas, Dawn..Thanks

*Sybilla A. Cook*
*3550 SW Bond Avenue # 905*
*Portland, OR 97239*
*503-688-6754*

*Website: sybillacook.com <http://sybillacook.com> *
*New:  **Walking Portland, Oregon.* (Falcon, 2013)
*WIP:* *Drawn Together:* a biography of Berta and Elmer Hader. {Concordia,
2014.]



On Sun, Nov 24, 2013 at 1:17 PM, Dawn Prochovnic <
dawnp at smalltalklearning.com> wrote:

> I have been encouraged and energized by the discussion about the need to
> advocate for the return of school librarians to schools. In the spirit of
> collaboration, I wanted to mention that individual school PTOs/PTAs (Parent
> Teacher Organizations/Associations) be considered as another resource in
> this regard. Although PTOs/PTAs do not hold the purse strings or decide the
> issues, they are comprised of passionate, active parent/community
> volunteers that care deeply about the education of their children.
>
> I have participated in several advocacy campaigns via the PTOs at my
> children's schools alongside other active volunteers. Some of these
> advocacy campaigns were ultimately successful and some not, but they were
> all envisioned and executed by engaged parents and community volunteers. I
> suspect many PTOs would welcome the addition of local librarians
> participating in their meetings and community activism (and likewise, these
> organizations provide a ready group of engaged community citizens that can
> show up and speak up).
>
> Another organization that might be worthwhile to engage/collaborate with
> is Stand for Children (Stand.org). Stand for Children is an education
> advocacy organization devoted to improving public schools and closing the
> achievement gap. Their byline is: We *show up. *We *speak up*. We* reach
> out*. We* vote*.
>
> The Beaverton and Portland chapters of Stand are very active (I cannot
> speak for other areas throughout the state). I had the experience of
> working with Emily Nazarov, the Portland/Beaverton Organizer for Stand,
> during the last election (re: Beaverton School District had a tax levy on
> the ballot). She was an amazing activist and advocate and now works for the
> Department of Education.
>
> It's my understanding that Liz Kaufman, (lizkaufman at cascadeaccess.com) was
> the chief political consultant/organizer for last year's (successful) BSD
> levy campaign (I think she also worked on Charlie Hales mayoral campaign).
>
> There are also groups of engaged community members that can be "found" via
> facebook groups such as:
>
> Stand for Children Beaverton Chapter:
> https://www.facebook.com/groups/511677812188080/
>
> Beaverton Community for Education:
> https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeavertonCommunityforEducation/
>
> Save Beaverton Schools:
> https://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Beaverton-Schools/288207424613464
>
> Yes for Beaverton Schools: https://www.facebook.com/YesforBeavertonSchools
>
> (These particular FB groups are focused on Beaverton Schools, but I
> *suspect* PTO/PTA members around the state know of similar groups more
> focused on their local school issues).
>
> Lastly, I wanted to mention that Wendy Owen, from The Oregonian, (
> wowen at oregonian.com) covers many issues related to education, and she
> would be a good person to reach out to/educate about this issue (on an
> ongoing basis).
>
> Warm regards,
>
> Dawn Prochovnic, MA
> SCBWI-Oregon Library Liaison
> Author, Story Time with Signs & Rhymes Series
> Magic Wagon/ABDO Publishing Group
>
> dawnp at smalltalklearning.com
> www.smalltalklearning.com
> dawnprochovnic.blogspot.com
> Facebook: Dawn Babb Prochovnic
> 503.223.5622
>
> On Wed, Nov 20, 2013 at 9:41 PM, Tony Greiner <tony_greiner at hotmail.com<
> mailto:tony_greiner at hotmail.com <tony_greiner at hotmail.com>>> wrote:
> The disgraceful state of Oregon Public Education, and specifically school
> libraries in Oregon should be of interest to all people in our profession.
>
> And I think OLA can make a change in its policies that can help bring back
> school librarians.
>
> Currently, the potentially useful Public Action Committee "People for
> Oregon Libraries" devotes most of its funds to people running for the state
> legislature.
>
> But that isn't where funding decisions are made. They are made, as Garrett
> Trott pointed out, at local school boards.
>
> We should change the focus of the giving of "People for Oregon Libraries"
> from the legislature to local school board elections. The dollar impact
> will be greater, and we will be putting our political money into the
> campaigns of those that say "staff school libraries."
>
> Oregon has a structure for the 'little people' to have influence in
> elections. Contributions to candidates and Political Action Committees, up
> to $50 a person, can be applied as a tax credit on Oregon taxes. Which
> means, essentially, that $50 of your tax bill can be devote to a political
> cause or candidate. You have to pay the tax anyway...but this allows you to
> participate in a 'taxpayer-funded election' with no real out-of-pocket
> expense.
>
> OLA has over 1,000 members. If even half of us contributed the $50 annual
> amount, we would have a $25,000 war chest a year.  According to a recent
> report, 75% of winning candidates spend less than $1000, and even in large
> districts, $10,000 is on the high end. ("School Boards at the Dawn of the
> 21st Century, page 34 and 35).
>
> With $25,000 a year, we could make 50 contributions of $500 to candidates
> that support school libraries, and for many that contribution would pay for
> half of their election costs!  That could get us some real influence at the
> level where it counts. With 197 school districts in Oregon, we could be
> getting good numbers of pro-library people on school boards across the
> state in just a few years.
>
> We did not lose our school librarians overnight, and we will not get them
> back overnight. But we will not get them back at all unless we act. If we
> won't do something, who will?
>
> Tony Greiner
>
>
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