April 14, 2026 · 6:00 PM

Library Board

The Library Board’s March meeting was mostly routine, but it did include a closed-session evaluation of the library director and set up an officer change for April. The packet also shows the library is in the middle of a planned leadership transition this summer.

Key Decisions

The board went into closed session to discuss the library director’s performance evaluation, citing the state law that allows private discussion of employee performance. Residents don’t get details of what was said, but the legal reason and the fact it happened are important for transparency.

A leadership transition is underway: the library posted a Youth Services Coordinator job because the current coordinator is being promoted to Library Director effective July 6, 2026. That’s a major operational change, and the hiring process will shape youth programming and day-to-day service.

The board set up an officer slate to vote on in April: Kate Gadd for president and Jack Powalisz for vice president. It’s not a policy change, but it signals who will steer agendas and priorities for the next year.

Public Input

No public comments or communications recorded for this meeting.

Agenda Items

CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION

Passed 8-0

The board cited Wisconsin’s open meetings exception for discussing employee performance and went into closed session for the library director evaluation. The roll call vote to close the meeting was unanimous. The public doesn’t see the evaluation discussion itself, so the city’s documentation and stated reason are the main accountability hooks here.

📄 See in official document: Page 4

NEW BUSINESS

Passed

The board approved reviewing the Bloodborne Pathogens policy with no changes. This is basic workplace safety housekeeping, but it matters because it’s one of the few formal checks the board documents on staff safety policies.

📄 See in official document: Page 4

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

The packet included the library’s final annual report as submitted to the state. The minutes don’t describe any discussion or concerns, so residents are left without context on what the report showed or what the board took from it.

📄 See in official document: Page 3

Vote on Slate of Officers for 2026/27 — Action Item

The March minutes previewed the officer slate that will be voted on at the April meeting: Kate Gadd for president and Jack Powalisz for vice president. This is a governance decision that affects meeting leadership and tone, even if it doesn’t directly change services.

📄 See in official document: Page 4

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