Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Library Staffing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parents urge Belton ISD trustees to protect librarian positions amid budget talks
Summary
Two parents told the Belton ISD Board of Trustees the district should not replace certified librarians with paraprofessionals, arguing librarians provide instruction in research, reading, and information literacy that supports students across grades; the board heard the comments but took no formal action.
Parents used the meeting’s public-comment period to urge Belton ISD trustees to preserve certified librarian positions in the face of possible budget reductions.
Sarah Cox, a parent from Morgans Point, told the board she was concerned by prior discussions about replacing librarians with paraprofessionals. "Librarians are not just managing books," Cox said. "They are trained educators who teach our kids how to read deeply, do research, and tell the difference between reliable information and misinformation." She warned that cutting certified librarians "hurts the kids who already have the fewest resources the most." The board did not respond during the comment period, consistent with the Texas Open Meetings Act and district policy on public comment.
Amy Longfield, also a Belton parent, echoed those concerns and described school libraries as essential to a "world-class education," providing access to physical books, programming and literacy supports that some families cannot replicate at home. Longfield noted that nearby Temple will charge a $40 nonresident card fee and said that school libraries remain a critical, accessible resource for many families.
Board members and staff who later spoke during reports noted the district faces budget planning decisions in coming months. The budget committee reported it is reviewing scenarios for 2026–27 and said reductions are likely but no final decisions were announced at the meeting. The board also approved the consent agenda and moved on to scheduled action items without taking any immediate action on staffing changes.
What happens next: Speakers at the meeting urged the board to publicly notify the community if librarian positions remain under consideration; the board did not announce any staffing changes at the meeting. Budget committee discussions will continue as staff and trustees work toward decisions for the 2026–27 fiscal year.
