Library Power Planning Grant (1993)

II. LEF Background

A. The New Haven Public Education Fund, Inc. (the Fund), created in 1986 by grants from the Public Education Fund (Ford Foundation Grant) and the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, addresses the increasing needs of the of the New Haven School System comprised of 18,000 students (an average of 55% receiving free or reduced price lunches). The mission of the Fund (revised in 1991): "To promote quality education for all students in the New Haven Public Schools by structuring a partnership with public education through financial and non-financial support. To build partnerships between the business community and public education, recognizing the mutual interdependence of their goals and interests. To recognize the shared responsibility and commitment that exists among educators, parents, volunteers and the business community. To foster an awareness and appreciation for cultural diversity, as a positive and enriching force in education." The original programs were Grants for Excellence (small grants for special projects not normally funded by the school budget) and Read Aloud Day (a community reading program). In 1990, the Steering Committee of the Fund worked with a consultant who conducted a study to determine if the Fund could (or should) become a free-standing, not-for-profit organization, totally independent from the New Haven Foundation. In February 1991, the New Haven Public Education Fund, Inc. relocated, incorporated and applied for IRS tax-exempt status.

B. The Fund's fiscal year runs July 1 - June 30. The most recent audit (June 30, 1993) showed income of $114,462 and expenses of $98,818. Budget projections for this year are: income of $145,000 and expenses of $140,650. In addition, the Fund has an endowment of $146,400 and a donor designated fund (to support Parent Involvement Grants) of $100,000 (established December 1993). Fund accounts are computerized and processed internally, with the exception of payroll for the Executive Director, which is contracted through a larger organization. The financial records are audited annually by Lynn Durand, C.P.A., an independent accountant. The Fund has grown in scope and nature since its beginning. Programs now include the two original programs, Parent Involvement Grants, Educational Resources Clearinghouse and School/Business Partnerships. The Fund currently employs one full time staff member and a part time clerical assistant, but has historically employed consultants to meet specific program needs. The Fund has a Board of Directors of 22 regular members and 5 ex officio members, including the Superintendent of Schools, Board of Education Chair, President of the Teachers' Union, and President of the Citywide PTSO. The Fund has supported 450 special school or classroom projects with more than $200,000. The Executive Director is often called upon as the independent spokesperson for school issues in the community and serves in that capacity on several standing committees of various organizations. The Fund is so widely recognized that the local Rotary Club donated the proceeds of its 1993 75th Anniversary Program to support these programs ($10,000). The Fund has been commended in the Mayor's State of the City Address and the The Chamber of Commerce Annual Message by its Chairman. On January 1, 1994, the Fund will be relocating to the Chamber of Commerce of Greater New Haven to facilitate collaborative efforts between the two organizations and to reduce the costs of maintaining independent offices. This collaboration will provide the Fund with additional staff support and greater access to the business community. C. The Fund developed Parent Involvement Grants to meet the specific needs of schools as Dr. Comer's "School Development Program" is implemented throughout the system, e.g., parent programs or resource rooms, parents' newsletters, or parent coordinators. In 1988, the Fund, recognizing the poor condition of the school libraries, coordinated "Spotlight on Books," a collaborative program involving 15 organizations and the entire community in a three week book drive. The book drive collected 10,000 books for school libraries and classrooms, which were cataloged and distributed throughout the school system. "Spotlight on Books" was endorsed by First Lady, Barbara Bush, and widely reported in professional journals and regional newspapers. The program continued for three years, until the realization that greater reform efforts were essential for library development. D. The Fund meets regularly with the Superintendent and Chair of the Board of Education (both Fund board members) to discuss current efforts and issues. All Fund programs require (and receive) extensive cooperation with the school system, especially Read Aloud Day, School Business Partnerships, Grants for Excellence and the Annual Friends of Education Dinner, which recognizes individual teachers and corporations for their support of public education.

III. Description of the community.

U.S. News & World Report profiles the post-war decline of New Haven, Connecticut ("Why a City Alone Cannot Save Itself," 11/12/92). A powerful manufacturing city until the late 1950's, New Haven is typical of many American cities facing overwhelming economic and social problems in the 1990's. Among the 200 largest U.S. cities, New Haven today ranks 37th in level of poverty. A majority of New Haven's 130,474 residents are African-American and Hispanic. Greater New Haven is one of the wealthier metropolitan areas in the nation, but it is also one of the most segregated along racial and economic lines. The 1990 Census indicates that New Haven County is the 13th worst metropolitan area in the country in terms of the discrepancy between city and suburban income. Economic parity among the city's white and African-American and Hispanic communities saw a 46% drop in income during the same period. Despite these problems, New Haven is still a center for commerce in New England and the home of Yale University. Amidst poverty there is a wealth of resources, especially cultural and educational ones. The presence of Yale University and three other institutions of higher education in greater New Haven offer the prospect of future competitiveness for the city. Despite the decline of traditional manufacturing, new industry, especially small high technology business, has been attracted to the city. New Haven's Science Park complex serves as an incubator for high technology business development, and a site for Olin and Eastman Kodak. The public school population this year is 18,000 students. The profile of students entering the New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) has changed in much the same way as the city itself. In 1963, white children accounted for 62% of the NHPS K-12 population. In 1993 white children account for approximately 15% of the school population. The Mayor, citing a city budget gap and a desire to hold the line on taxes, proposed a '93-'94 school budget which the Board of Education maintained was $11 million short of minimum state funding levels. The Board of Education passed a budget of $120,322,456. The State Department of Education has cited the city for violating the minimum education requirement (MER), a state law that mandates how much school districts must spend each year on regular education. The state Board of Education will meet the first week of December to make a decision. Twice in the last three years, the school board has successfully sued the city for failing to meet the MER.

IV.B. Describe the district's governing and funding structure.

The schools are governed by an eight member appointed school board. The mayor of the city holds appointment authority and membership on the Board with the approval of the elected Board of Aldermen. The City Board of Aldermen has fiscal authority over the education budget. Currently, the balance between state and local funding in New Haven for 1992 shows the city of New Haven contributing 30.9% and the State of Connecticut just over 60.6% with the balance in Federal and tuition support. New Haven spent $7,500 per student on all programs, ranking it 40th among the 169 school districts in Connecticut. It, however, ranks 160 out of 169 in the State in the latest report (1991-1992) on the amount spent on General Instruction ($4,475).

IV. C. Describe curriculum reforms or restructuring efforts taking place in the school district.

Several Examples: 1.) 2001: A Library Media Odyssey: This eight year plan, formulated by the Library Media Task Force, provides a framework for viewing the library media program as a full partner in the educational enterprise, joining with teachers on an instructional team, with parents and administrators in site-based management, and with a variety of local, state, and national resources to achieve the school system's goals. The Library Power Grant is prominently featured in this plan -- as a critical program to help achieve the identified goals;2.) The School Development Program of Dr. James Comer: The NHPS have incorporated the programs developed with this nationally recognized child psychiatrist, whose works are based on staff, parents, and community working collaboratively to enhance schools; 3.) Middle School Restructuring Reforms: All middle schools have teams which focus on creating environments more conducive to meet the individual needs of all students; 4.) New England Middle School Accreditation Process: Five middle schools have begun the accreditation process. The Library Media Center must be integrally related to the curriculum for accreditation; 5.) Community Schools: In addition to traditional after school activities, two middle schools have addressed educational, recreational, health and social service programming during the evening hours. Other community schools are planned;6.) Social Development Project and Curriculum K-12: One of the few districts in the country to have developed a K-12 curriculum focused on social skills which includes topics such as violence, substance abuse, AIDS prevention, human diversity/multicultural awareness, and tolerance; 7.) Five year $2.5 million National Science Foundation Grant: This "Partnership in Minority Student Achievement" grant from the National Science Foundation will fund sweeping reforms of our science and mathematics curriculum aimed at encouraging minority students to seek careers in technology and engineering; 8.) New Reading and Math Programs (K-8): A literature-based whole language approach to reading and a "hands on," interdisciplinary approach to mathematics have been introduced, grades K-8. Library Media materials are integral to full integration of the programs.

IV. D. Describe the school district commitment to professional development for teachers, librarians and administrators.

The district's commitment and efforts to the professional development needs of its total staff have been acknowledged by local and state groups for the high quality of training activities, process models and the diversity of topics. There is a central office administrator, at Cabinet level, whose responsibilities include the integration and coordination of curriculum development models, professional training and related on-site coaching to support effective and efficient delivery of services to students. This Office of Staff and Organizational Development serves as the primary vehicle to external and internal resources including the School Development Program with Dr. James Comer of Yale University. Training efforts have included sessions with parents, business partners, community agencies and others. There are many mechanisms in place that will support the activities and interactions necessary to accomplish the goals of this proposal. One such program which demonstrates the system's ability to support the basic tenets of the National Library Power Program is our After-School/Weekend Institutes. It features our own staff members as well as outside consultants as paid presenters in 10-30 hour training programs which focus on identified needs of programs, staff and individual school buildings. The system also provides three full days of mandatory release time and includes a mandatory Curriculum Monday time slot in all areas each month. Professional Days, reimbursements and stipends are based on prior arrangements and funding sources.

VI. ADVISORY COMMITTEE

On September 23, 1993, the following individuals attended an introductory meeting about Library Power. Their names, affiliations and area of interest are listed below. The Advisory Board is scheduled to reconvene in February 1994, after the announcement of Library Power planning grant recipients. Myrna Baskin, community activist and volunteer, Human Resources Martha Brogan, parent of New Haven student and Bibliographer Social Sciences Collection Development, Yale University Library, Learning Links Belinda Carberry, Principal, Wexler School, Public Relations and Documentation Frank Carrano, President, New Haven Federation of Teachers, Public Relations/Human Resources Alison Chapman, Director, School Volunteers for New Haven, Human Resources Frances Clark, Executive Director, Arts Council of Greater New Haven, Human Resources Celeste Davis, teacher at Fair Haven Middle School, Public Relations and Documentation William Derry, Acting Coordinator of Library and Media Services, New Haven Public Schools, Development Nancy Disbrow, Department Chair, Library Science and Instructional Technology Program, Southern Connecticut State University, Learning Links Suzanne Eisner, Chairperson, New Haven Public School Library Media Task Force and Board of Directors of the New Haven Public Education Fund, (former Board of Education member), Public Relations Diane George, library/media specialist, Branford Intermediate School and CT Educational Media Association, Collection Development and Program Zelly Goldberg, President of Board of Directors, New Haven Public Library, Learning Links Betty Goyette (ex officio) Library Media Consultant, Connecticut State Department of Education Human Resources Judith Lhamon, Director of Career Development Office, Yale Law School, Development Vivian Lynch, library media specialist at Hill Central School, Collection Development and Program Peggy Moore, Staff Development Program, New Haven Public Schools, Program Development Charles Negaro, owner of Atticus Books (bookstore), Public Relations and Documentation Alan Plattus, Associate Dean of School of Architecture, Yale University, Renovations Lystra Richardson, Dr. James Comer's School Development Program; Board of Directors of the New Haven PEF, Inc., Collection Development and Program Fabio Sampoli, Vice President of Economic Development, The Chamber of Commerce of Greater New Haven, Human Resources Sheila Wartel, Program Director, Southern Connecticut Library Council, Learning Links Bonnie Possick Winchester, Director of Public Information, New Haven Public Schools, Public Relations and Documentation Bernice Yesner, Library/Media Specialist, Beecher Public School, Woodbridge, CT and author of The School Administrator's Guide to Evaluating Library Media Programs, (Library Professional Publications), Collection Development and Programs Lynette Zwirlein, Executive Director, Literacy Volunteers of New Haven, Human Resources

In addition, the Leadership Greater New Haven participants at the Volunteer Action Center, recently renovated one elementary school library and are preparing to begin a similar effort in another elementary school. Their efforts have been recognized locally and nationally as a model of what community leaders and volunteers can provide through their contacts, enthusiasm and efforts. We will work closely with this, and other groups, as additional efforts on behalf of the school libraries are developed.

VII. TIMELINE FOR PLANNING GRANT

Planning Grant Activities I. Assessment of school libraries and collections II. Identify and collaborate with current reform efforts III. Convene representatives for Advisory Committee and other support IV. Site visits to existing Library Power programs V. Develop a vision VI. Technical assistance VII. Grant writing January 1994 Work with faculty in Library/Instructional Technologies program at Southern Connecticut State University to recruit interns to assist with the assessment of libraries in public schools (I) February 1994 Contract with professional library media consultant(s) to: (a) supervise the assessment procedure (I); (b) research and write implementation grant (VII) Press conference to announce receipt of grant (III) Convene Advisory Board; divide into sub-committees (III) March 1994 Training session in Phoenix, AZ (VI) [Exec. Dir. of Fund, Vicki Parker; Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Reginald Mayo; Coordinator of Library Media, Bill Derry] Advisory Committee meeting at Beecher School Media Center (Woodbridge, CT);(II, III) initial reports from sub-committees (VI) Staff Development program for Principals (II) Site visit to community similar in size with similar resources of New Haven (IV) Working on First Draft of Implementation Grant (VII) Technical assistance from PEFNet/ALA (VI) April 1994 Library assessment completed by April 1 (I) Meet with representatives of school reform initiatives for input (Comer project, middle school reform, community school program, Whole Language Reading program, etc.) (II) Site visit II and III (to exemplary Library Power programs) (VI) Recommendations by sub-committees (III) Draft completed by April 28, fax to PEFNet/ALA for critique (VII) May 1994 Staff Development program for teachers/staff facilitators (II) Second draft completed May 20 (VII) Reconvene Advisory Board May 26 to review grant proposal; fax draft to PEFNet/ALA (III, V, VI) June 1994 Incorporate comments, make necessary changes (VII) Submit final proposal June 8 (VII)

VIII. A. Planning Grant Budget

1. Personnel Grant --LEF Executive Director, .25 FTE for 4 months - $3,300; Secretary, .25 FTE for 4 months - $1,200; Consultant(s) to supervise assessment and/or to research/write grant - $7,200 In-kind -- Coordinator Library Media Services, New Haven Public Schools, .25 FTE for 4 months - $5,500 2. Release time/Stipends Grant -- stipends for Weekend Institute for 18 educators In-kind -- School day release time for workshops, conferences, site visits 3. Advisory committee meetings Printing, mailings, refreshments, speakers' fees 4. Other Meetings/Information Sessions Grant -- meetings with other community leaders (Chamber of Commerce, Board of Aldermen, Southern Connecticut State University Library Science instructors, civic organizations, etc.) Funding covers cost of designing brochures, mailings, postage, etc. In-kind -- other costs for information sessions (printing, refreshments, etc.) 5. Site visits Grant -- visits to 2 Library Power sites similar to New Haven and/or exemplary programs Grant covers cost of air fare, overnight housing, per diem In-kind -- school system will provide van for one-day travel to Library Power site within New England or the Tri-state area for 4-6 individuals, no overnight stay required 7. Resource materials Grant -- Books on flexible scheduling, library renewal, etc. and/or speakers In-kind -- purchase of resource materials (books, videos, software) by school system 8. Other costs Grant -- promotional items to be purchased for kick-off press conference In-kind -- LEF will provide special grant through Grants for Excellence or Parent Involvement Grant program to promote the library media center in a proposed Library Power school site

IX. ATTACHMENTS

A/B. LEF Board of Directors and Staff (with indication of full-time or part-time status) C. Letters of Endorsement President, New Haven Federation of Teachers, Frank Carrano Director, School Development Program, James P. Comer Connecticut State Representative, Rosa DeLauro Acting Coordinator Library Media Services, Bill Derry Mayor Elect John DeStefano Chair, Library Media Task Force, Suzanne Eisner Director, Community Foundation of Greater New Haven, Helmer Ekstrom Yale University President, Richard K. Levin Connecticut State Senator, Joseph Lieberman Superintendent of Schools, Reginald Mayo President , Chamber of Commerce of Grtr. New Haven, Matthew Nemerson Director of Staff Development, Marco Palmieri President of the Board of Aldermen, Tomas Reyes S.C.S.U.,Dean of the School of Education, Bernice Willis D. Audited Financial Statements E. Copy of IRS Tax-exemption Letter