OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Silver Creek parents Jenna and Eric Schwab spoke at a recent Board of Education meeting regarding the district’s reconfiguration of library time for elementary students.

SILVER CREEK — Change usually comes with pushback, and that’s exactly the case at the Silver Creek Central School District regarding the shift away from library as a regular specials course.

At a recent Silver Creek Board of Education meeting, parents Jenna and Eric Schwab each addressed the Board regarding the district’s decision to reconfigure the way it offers library to its students.

Jenna Schwab spoke first, highlighting that her child, a kindergarten student, was unaware that the school had a library due to the change in scheduling.

“Consistent access to library is crucial for the development of our young learners,” Jenna Schwab said. She cited that over 36% of district students are economically disadvantaged, which stresses the importance of regular access to a library.

Jenna Schwab highlighted how the district is offering Seneca Language programming this year, while library has been removed from the rotation of special courses. Jenna Schwab felt there was a lack of transparency regarding the change. Superintendent Dr. Katie Ralston later clarified to the OBSERVER that district personnel and new courses did not necessitate the change.

“We love this community, we love this school … we are proud to be Silver Creek alumni, but most importantly, we love our boys and will always advocate for their best interests,” Jenna Schwab said. She asked for the district to re-implement library into the specials rotation to conclude her three-minute address to the Board.

Eric Schwab followed his wife’s comments with another three-minute address. Eric Schwab presented his research of data regarding the district’s recent test scores and reading proficiency levels.

According to Eric Schwab, Silver Creek’s English Language Arts (ELA) score was on the 23rd page of 27 in order of highest to lowest scores on the State Education Department website. In grades 3-8, Silver Creek’s ELA score was 30% proficient, ranking 543rd in the state. He compared the district to Gowanda, Forestville, Fredonia, and Eden, all of which ranked higher than Silver Creek. Eric Schwab stated that of all school districts in Chautauqua County, only Jamestown, Dunkirk and Brocton ranked below Silver Creek.

“These numbers do not suggest that library should have been removed for our youngest students,” Eric Schwab said. He then emphasized that data shows library access leads to higher test scores and increased interest in reading.

Following public comments, Ralston defended the district’s shift. She also thanked the parents who spoke for sharing their concerns.

Ralston noted the data cited by Eric Schwab is a factor into why the district looked for ways to reconfigure its way of utilizing the library. The data reflects previous years of results when the district was offering library in a traditional specials rotation.

The choice to reconfigure how library is offered to students was made by the district, not out of necessity, but as a strategic decision. The district put an emphasis on implementing aspects of the library in classrooms regularly, rather than as part of the specials rotation. Teachers are urged to utilize the library during class time when necessary, while some classes have had virtual lessons and readings from the district’s librarian or other staff members.

“Ultimately, our hope and plan with not having library as a specific special is that it does expand the thought of library – that it is not just a 40-minute time you are in the library and exposed to books,” Ralston said.