Parents urge board to preserve elementary library technicians and rethink staffing at dual-immersion sites

Several parents used the meeting's public-comment period to press the board on staffing decisions affecting elementary libraries and dual-immersion kindergarten supports.

"I am here again to implore the board to reconsider the decision to disperse our elementary library technicians throughout different school sites this fall," said parent Chelsea Ruiz, who described the relationship between students and their library technicians as central to school culture and literacy programming. Ruiz named one librarian, Amber Spinaman, as an example of the deep relationships built with students.

Lucia Stone, a parent at Baywood Elementary, warned that literacy underpins all learning and asked the board to ensure a "full-time minimum kinder aide" at dual-immersion schools where class sizes and program entry patterns raise equity concerns. "Without literacy, there is no learning," Stone said, describing libraries as cultural centers for Title I sites.

Another parent, Nancy Reles, described a family hardship and asked district staff to help keep her child at a neighborhood school to preserve recent progress tied to an individualized education plan; the board pledged follow-up.

Trustees and staff acknowledged the concerns. During the meeting staff said library services and staffing remain important and suggested follow-up discussions over summer enrollment and staffing allocations; at least one trustee noted library staffing was not part of the LCAP.

Provenance: public-comment block (topicintro: SEG 869; topfinish: SEG 1076).