South Milwaukee school libraries cut staff

The South Milwaukee Public School Board said May 7 that its 2009-10 budget would retain current school library hours, despite cutting one of two librarian positions, by increasing support staff hours at three elementary schools and the middle school. According to a news report, librarian Deborah Semrad would prepare lesson plans for the library classes taught by paraprofessionals, while librarian Eric VanErt would move into a teaching position. The article in South Milwaukee NOW reports that VanErt contends the plan does not meet state guidelines for library media services in public schools, though school officials disagree with that interpretation.