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High‑school library closures and printing limits draw complaints; district cites staffing gap
Summary
Parents, students and board members at the March 25 meeting raised concerns about repeated closures of the high‑school library, confusion over study‑hall passes and limitations on student printing; district officials said a vacant aide position has been posted and a hire will appear on the next board agenda.
Parents, students and trustees described recurring closures of the Connetquot High School library and confusion about printing and study‑hall access during the March 25 board meeting, prompting staff to pledge follow‑up and immediate staffing action.
Multiple speakers told the board that the high‑school library has been closed at times during the day and after school and that students seeking to print scholarship or class materials have faced limited access. One parent said students were forced to print at the public library and pay for copies. A student told the board she had attempted to print scholarship documents and encountered delays and caps.
Nut graf: The issue matters because students use the school library for printing, studying and tutoring; the board questioned how a facility paid for with bond funds is being staffed and scheduled.
Superintendent Dr. Sinemore and board members explained the immediate cause as staffing: the library aide went on a leave to complete student teaching and the position had to be posted under contractual rules. The superintendent said the district has hired a replacement who will be presented for board approval at the next meeting and will cover the 2:05–2:50 p.m. time slot noted as a recurring gap.
Board members and parents also described inconsistent rules for students in study hall seeking access. A clarification provided at the meeting said student printing is available to middle‑ and high‑school students; the high school has a 20‑copy per day limit and middle schools have a 10‑copy per day limit, with librarians able to authorize additional copies at their discretion.
The board asked administration to gather usage statistics — including badge swipes and logs — and report back on how often the library is fully closed and how many student prints occur each day. "If there's a concern and a student has a need, they can certainly take that concern or need to an administrator, to a teacher, to our library media specialist," Dr. Sinemore said.
Ending: District staff said they will supply the board with staffing and usage data for the library, confirm the pending hire for the aide position and propose clearer guidance for study‑hall passes and printing.
