Given the financial situation public schools are currently facing, the Mid-Del Public Schools Foundation reviewed our mission and held discussions with district leadership and Mid-Del educators. Based on those conversations, some changes in our funding were made.
For the 2010-11 year, the Mid-Del Public Schools Foundation awarded grants to libraries at every elementary, middle, and high school in the district. In this way, the Foundation's support is touching every child in the Mid-Del schools. Though this contribution won't replace the dollars the school libraries lost this year - their budgets were cut to zero - it does help them maintain basics through a tough time.
As Loanna Hudgins, librarian at Highland Park Elementary says,
"This money has met a definite need, since the library has no budget this year. Students have asked for new books. We need books to participate in the Oklahoma Sequoyah award, and World Almanacs for research. The books I work will be enjoyed for years to come."
Our conversations with educators and district leadership are continuing. The Foundation's Board of Trustees will make a decision about where our funding will make the most impact before the end of 2011.