Carroll County plans 36 school media center staff cuts

Carroll County Public Schools plans to cut 92 staff members to address budget issues, including 36 positions from school media centers. This decision has raised concerns among educators and librarians about its impact on student learning. Jacob Gerding, from the Maryland Association of School Librarians, expressed worries that cutting media center staff could hurt students' reading skills and digital literacy. He noted that for many students, the school library is the only one they access regularly. The proposed cuts include 22 elementary media clerks and 14 middle and high school media specialists. Gerding emphasized the importance of these roles, stating that library specialists help improve student academic performance and readiness for college or careers. With fewer staff members, Gerding fears that resources available to students will diminish. He pointed out that less frequent book returns could limit the variety of reading materials for students. Additionally, he warned that a lack of staff might lead to a generic selection of books that doesn't reflect community interests. The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is a new education reform law aimed at improving resources for students. However, Gerding believes the current budget situation suggests deeper funding issues in Carroll County. The school board recently approved a budget plan that requests an increase in education funding, but many continue to worry about staff cuts. Gerding and the Maryland Association of School Librarians are urging local residents to support a petition against the layoffs. They are advocating for the retention of all 92 staff positions that are set to be eliminated. A community town hall meeting will be held on April 2 to discuss the cuts. Community members are encouraged to voice their opinions and contact lawmakers regarding this issue.