The public school system within Hernando County has been struggling with funding despite the implementation of a half cent sales tax this year. Karen Jordan, Public Information Officer with the school district explains, “essentially, the state has reduced funding, other funding sources have not rebounded from the recession and enrollment has not increased significantly across the district.”
At a recent school board workshop, Chairman Matt Foreman explained the dire nature of the current general fund reserve levels. They sit at 2.08% and ideally should be above 5%. When the reserve drops below 2%, the district will be subjected to a state review, which is costly in time and money.
Due to the funding issues, each school lost one staff position. Schools were able to choose individually which position to cut. Several chose to cut the media specialist position.
The media specialist takes on many responsibilities and requires an educational media specialist certification. In regards to media specialist responsibilities, Jordan explains, “they manage book check ins and outs, inventory, lead literacy initiatives, manage classroom visits, support student research, teach media related lessons, manage varying technologies, and support teachers with their instructional goals.” How schools have adjusted without the media specialist is dependent on the school.
At Brooksville Elementary, which does not have a long list of support staff, the media specialist position was cut this year. Eva Fuller who has volunteered at the school for 6 years has been running the media center since the media specialist position was cut. She works in the media center between 30 and 40 hours a week. Fuller is concerned that the students are not spending enough time in the library. She explained that the students aren’t learning about how to navigate the library using the Dewey Decimal system. Much of the time she spends in the library consists of just checking books in, getting books off the shelves for the students and the students out the door. She also stated that there is no longer a set time for classes to go to the library where the media specialist would read and discuss books with the children using a set curriculum, teach them how to access information, and administer reading tests. “The media specialist has taught me so much in those five years but I still don’t know as much as she does and I still can’t do her job,” stated Fuller.
It has not been determined if schools can add back that staff position for next year.
“Schools need a media specialist plain and simple,” stated Fuller.