The discussion of the possible closure of satellite public libraries at Fort Lewis Mesa and Sunnyside Elementary schools drew about 20 people Tuesday to the Durango School District 9-R board meeting.
It costs La Plata County roughly $117,000 to operate the libraries yearly, according to 9-R Superintendent Dan Snowberger. It is unlikely the county will continue to fund the libraries with the loss of funding looming, in part because of a decline in gas and oil revenues.
“A lot of families use the internet at these libraries for online assignments and research,” said Sandy Irwin, Durango Public Library director.
She added that both libraries offer after-school programming for children and their families, including a summer reading program that helps to prevent summer slide. “It is proven that students who read over the summer retain more,” she said.
The board was in agreement that preserving the libraries was of utmost importance.
“It would be a lack of equity for us to not fund these libraries,” said board member Stephanie Moran.
“For a lot of kids, libraries are sacred spaces. I consider library programs very essential.”
One suggestion offered was for 9-R to take complete control of the libraries.
“Right now, the employees in those libraries are city employees. We could look at assuming those staff members so that they become 9-R staff members,” Snowberger said.
He agreed to meet with Irwin and generate proposals to later present to the board for consideration.
In other action, the board approved a salary increase for teachers.
Snowberger was in favor of the move, which would raise starting salaries for all teachers to $40,000 from $36,600.
The board voted unanimously to approve the salary increase.
“I’m excited for our staff to be able to own their own destiny and move along the scale with this approval,” Snowberger said.
mrupani@durangoherald.com
This article has been updated to correct the cost of operating the two satellite libraries. It is $117,000.
