[ed. note: The letter below shows some stunts in front of the board to make an impression, but note that they are also joining forces with other groups of teachers at risk. Also, note that they do some investigation of their own about areas to cut. Of course, boards and administrators know that the largest cost item is the salaries - so they first look at all personnel above the basic classroom teacher as target areas - so we need not feel that we are the only ones getting picked on. Perhaps their best proposed tactic is to get groups other than themselves to testify. Coalition building is one of the best advocacy strategies. And of course, to present only when under threat is a last ditch effort to save what may have been already decided upon. Much better to have presented regularly over the years so that the progrm is not on anyone's cut list to begin with. In times of extreme fiscal restraint, do not rely on logic as something than you expect from those in power.]

Thanks to Linda & Joanie who spoke at the Bd Meeting tonite

Ok here are some ideas

1. Invite all community groups that support libraries to speak at march 25 bd meeting:.bookstores, San Francisco Public Library, FPL, SF PALM organization, KQED (TV station), Exploratorium (museum), local authors; who else??.Let us get a list and ask them as well as give them the contact info on Maria.
2. Plan several speakers from librarians, parents, students re: libraries..could we use talking points Ann passed out Mon..so everyone would have a starting point.
3. A little guerrilla theatre..can we get another coffin? Let's make up books (use weeded ones) that are destroyed inside and stamped withdrawn or discarded but put new covers on them then give stacks to each board member with slogan: withdraw libraries----discard literacy or something, then collect all of them from in front of bd members and throw them in coffin labeled "@ the library in SFUSD" or something like this.
4. Develop PR packet..feature several (all? ) libraries and send to all media outlets: stuff like list of library with "worth of Connell library collection Spring 2003= dollar amount; worth of closed library fall 2003=zero" or something like that

I think we want to let public know that most schools in SFUSD (most elem, Max MS, most k-8 and Burton) don't have school librarians today; with cuts; % of sfusd kids K-12 will never have library services.

Anyway..I hope everyone will offer strategies, support and resources counselors are on cut list, child care centers, too

NOW how about some creative thinking about money - how about looking @ school property & buildings,,,,costs of students, etc. - let's close some decrepit buildings (show can list them all); then combine programs/shift programs so sites have at least near capacity..why is district paying 1/4 million rent for staff on Harrison (Parkside people who were moved) - I think there is a lot of wasted space..why is Sota what 500-600 in big old MacAteer and not using that beautiful track - I
think we could go down the list of schools and look at ways to cut waste that would not cut teachers..

Comments..ideas - .names to contact - .I will be @ staff development all day tomorrow but will check e-mail @ lunch..

Solidarity is not silence

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Kay Hones, Librarian
O'Connell High School Library
2355 Folsom, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 695-5370
eFax number: 14135025675
Read For The Fun Of It @ the LIBRARY