VERNON — Contrary to a recent headline in the Reformer, the minutes of the March 21 Vernon Free Library trustees' meeting clearly state that Kris Berberian had not resigned as library director.
The trustees and staff, including Kris, were challenged to begin a process to manage the library after a major budget cut was approved at Town Meeting in March. Kris volunteered to leave her position to accommodate the cuts, but she clearly communicated her plans to remain in her position and lead the transition process until June 30.
Unexpectedly removing Kris from her position more than two months early has upset the planned transition and placed an undue strain on the remaining library personnel and volunteers.
As a regular volunteer at the library for over two years, I'm left wondering why.
Abruptly removing a library director who has been at the job for 10 years while she is leading a transition process does not make sense.
Perhaps there was some egregious situation that called for such draconian steps? Otherwise, why not let the library director, staff, and volunteers make and complete the transition they had planned? How did this move benefit the staff, patrons, and the taxpayers? What purpose was served?
The trustees owe a logical explanation for their action.