Issues I am Watching....

It is legislative season so I am busy keeping up with state and federal leg. that could impact school library media centers and emailing my representatives! Here is a quick list of some of the things I am following:
1. New Education Secretary-Arne Duncan: looks like school library media specialists are on his radar and the buzz on the various listservs is that Arne Duncan is good news for school libraries!

2. Mr. Perdue, our esteemed Ga. Governor, that used the teachers and SLMS support to get elected is once again hitting on education. Several pieces of legislation that impact school libraries and SLMS have been introduced:

• HB 278 - Rep. Matt Ramsey (R-Peachtree City) - would give local systems more funding control by waiving expenditure controls for media centers, staff and professional development, and instructional costs for the 08-09 and 09-10 school years.
• HB 243 - Rep. Jimmy Pruett (R-Eastman) - HB243 corresponds with the Governor's 2010 budget request to discontinue funding for teachers with National Board Certification. This legislation would "...repeal the salary increase for persons receiving certification from the National Board for Teaching Standards..."
  

Currently, there are over 120 Senate bills and 330 House bills. This year, issues range from school board management/requirements to tax exemptions, and from PE and student physical fitness assessments to creating more flexibility in the 180 day school year. So it is vital that you stay current on what is going on and keep emailing!

Additionally of course I am monitoring the stimulus plan and its impact on schools, more on that to come...