As North Kitsap School District wrestles with difficult decisions about how to make reductions in the budget in an effort to keep cuts away from the classroom, we would remind the decision makers that counselors and librarians are teachers.

They are teachers who have a profound impact on the kids, families and staff that they support. The proposed cuts to counselor and librarian positions would be devastating to student learning in “the classroom.”

In this era of shrinking resources and increasing expectations, librarians and counselors are an essential part of the community in every school.

Multiple research studies show that robust counseling and librarian services have a direct positive impact on student achievement. They are the “great equalizers” in terms of equity and access to excellence in education.

They help classroom teachers deliver high-quality instruction to all kids. They build powerful relationships with students and families over time and understand and address their needs so that kids can reach their full potential. They are the hearts of our schools.

We urge the district to create a budget that includes a full-time librarian and counselor in every school.

Pat Pearson, North Kitsap Education Association president (representing NKSD teachers)

Chris Fraser, NKEA President-elect