Advocacy

LINK TO ADVOCACY TOOLKIT
Thank you for considering being an advocate for students in Nebraska by making public comments related to the school library section of the proposed Approval Rule -- 005.01C.
As currently worded, any school “system” could employ just one half time certified school librarian to provide library media services while the library or libraries are staffed by an adult regardless of student population. This would be devastating for larger districts or those with multiple buildings. This could result in the loss of hundreds of school librarian jobs and create significant inequities for Nebraska students.

You can support Nebraska students in multiple ways:

Submit public comment to a Nebraska State Board of Education meeting between July and October 2021. This could be in the form of a letter submitted to NSLA to be read/submitted at one of the upcoming meetings. OR, you could sign up to give your own public comment. It would be advantageous to have public comments at each of the upcoming meetings.

As the BOE is the one who votes on approving the new language, it is imperative that you also contact the state BOE members with your concerns. NE State Board of Education Members
Contact them directly AND submit public comment to a meeting between July and October. (5/11/21)

Contact the Commissioner of Education Matthew L. Blomstedt 402-471-5020 matt.blomstedt@nebraska.gov (5/11/21)
Brad Dirksen, Administrator – Office of Accountability, Accreditation and Program Approval Phone: 402-430-0267 Email: brad.dirksen@nebraska.gov (5/13/21)
Contact members of the Nebraska Legislature Education Committee & your state senator (5/11/21)

Sen. Lynne Walz, Chairperson    (402) 471-2625   lwalz@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Jen Day               (402) 471-2725   jday@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Lou Ann Linehan            (402) 471-2885   llinehan@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Terrell McKinney           (402) 471-2612   tmckinney@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Adam Morfeld           (402) 471-2720   amorfeld@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Dave Murman           (402) 471-2732   dmurman@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks       (402) 471-2633   ppansingbrooks@leg.ne.gov
Sen. Rita Sanders           (402) 471-2615   rsanders@leg.ne.gov

This is what we understand to be true at this time. Public comment to the NDE about the proposed language is now closed. The revision process has begun and information should be shared at the August state school board meeting.