Great news for the Jones Library! Not so good news for the three elementary school libraries in Amherst. The library paraeducator positions have been eliminated from the budget. Seems that the School Committee does not feel that the need for paraeducators is great in the libraries.
As one of the three paraeducators who have lost their jobs, may I say that at Fort River alone there were over 35,000 books circulated this past school year. In the absence of these positions, the libraries cannot continue to function as they have in the past. There will be a librarian who will instruct the classes, but no one to check out books to students. Both of these cannot happen.
Fort River will have 350 students this coming year — sadly, there will be little help given to foster a love of reading. As I said, great news for the Jones, a terrible loss for our children. By the way, the total budget for all three paraeducators, the last time I saw a figure, was less than $85,000 per year! Hard to believe that the positions are not important enough to include in the budget.
Anne Gage
Amherst