Dear Colleagues,

The Ohio Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee will soon conclude hearings on HB 119, the state budget for the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 school years. In the House version, INFOhio's funding is maintained at the current year's level. However, funding for the Ohio Area Instructional Media Centers (OAIMC) has been ELIMINATED. INFOhio has automated Area Media Centers with Medianet booking software and includes AMC bibliographic records in the INFOhio Curriculum Resource Catalog. This year, INFOhio has encouraged use of AMC digital content by adding the Digital Video Collection to our Core Collection of Electronic Resources. The DVC allows for the streaming and downloading of more than 1,000 instructional video components to all Ohio educators, students and parents for free, over the Internet, 24/7. These efforts are AT RISK.

The INFOhio Governing Advisory Board and I consider the House version of the budget to be seriously flawed by eliminating the OAIMC funding and by freezing support to INFOhio. Without OAIMC funding and additional dollars for the Core Collection, SchoolRooms^® and other projects, INFOhio cannot provide you with additional electronic resources you tell us you need to support instruction in your districts. We are also concerned that the Digital Video Collection can be lost, just when many districts are resolving the technical issues that have limited the DVC's support for Ohio's Academic Content Standards.

Here's how you can help: Contact members of the Ohio Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee and urge FULL FUNDING for INFOhio and our Core Collection, including the OAIMC Digital Video Collection. Original letters and face-to-face meetings are best, followed by e-mail and phone calls. Send copies of correspondence to your state senator and INFOhio. INFOhio's Legislative Action Plan 2007 has information to help. The plan has links to legislators' contact information, talking points to help compose your messages, and more.

Of course, I encourage you to ask your colleagues and students to write letters, as well. The Senate Finance Committee is expected to vote on their version of HB 119 by early June, so please consider June 4 your deadline for this important task.

We have worked to preserve and strengthen INFOhio at past times of concern. I know I have your support to make this effort successful, as well!

Sincerely,
Theresa M. Fredericka
INFOhio Executive Director