I’m becoming increasingly concerned that the North Kitsap School District will decide to bridge its budget gap by sharing librarians at two of the elementary schools. Though I’m a high school teacher, I recognize the importance of promoting literacy skills in the early grades for future academic success. The district’s decision on this issue may not affect me now, but it will later. And completing the state’s relatively new curriculum-based assessment recommendations for elementary schools without a full-time librarian would be another example of expecting more for less. We should ensure that students at all of our elementary schools have the same opportunities for achieving high standards, and not be left at a disadvantage simply because of where they live in our school district.

Stephen Nolet

Suquamish