Student and educators urge Wenatchee board to restore library access and press state lawmakers on K–12 funding

Public commenters used the citizen-comment period to raise library access concerns at Wenatchee High School and to urge broader action on state education funding.

High school student Neil Nayak told the board that the library has lost the homework center, that librarian coverage is limited or absent and that students often cannot check out books because staff or teacher aides cannot log into systems. "Not having a librarian seems like a basic, you know, necessity," Nayak said, asking the board to consider restoring basic checkout access within budget constraints.

Roxanna Vannetta, an intervention specialist and former Columbia Elementary librarian, supported the student's remarks and framed them within a statewide funding concern. Representing a group she identified as the "$1,000,000,000 bake sale Group," Vannetta urged the community to contact legislators about what she described as a multibillion-dollar K–12 funding gap in Washington and encouraged residents to join advocacy efforts. She cited figures and expressed concern that districts are cutting programs, raising local taxes or closing schools.

Board members thanked the speakers; no immediate board action was taken in response to the comments, and the items were recorded for future consideration and possible follow-up during budget and levy discussions.