After a contentious 75 minute discussion of Lincoln Parish Library Director Vivian McCain’s character and professional competence, the library’s Board of Control voted unanimously to accept her letter of retirement, effective at the close of business today. The board met in a special called meeting late yesterday afternoon at the Library Events Center.
As the meeting began, a motion was made to amend the agenda and remove the character/competence language from the discussion, but it failed when board member Charles Penuell voted no. Unanimous approval is required to amend public meeting agendas in Louisiana.
McCain plainly wanted the discussion to be held, asking, “You only want to discuss the letter of retirment – you do not want to tell me even today why this is happening?” Board member David Gullatt said that was correct. Penuell added that he voted against the motion so that the discussion would be carried out.
A second agenda item was added to discuss/take action on McCain’s letter.
Harriet Jones made a public comment at this point, saying she was a frequent library patron, and that the controversy was badly handled by the board.
Said Jones, “When I heard she was resigning, I just had to express my opinion.” She added, “I would hope this board would respectfully decline Mrs. McCain’s resignation.”
A motion and second was made to go into executive session, and was passed. However, McCain said she wanted the discussion public.
Board Chair Augusta Clark listed four points that were problem areas with McCain’s performance: board relations, fiscal responsibility, staffing issues, and planning issues. Clark noted that McCain was an “at will” employee, and never had a contract.
Clark charged McCain with creating a “toxic relationship” with the board.
“She appears to do as she wishes, with no intention of making the board part of the operational process,” she said.
McCain replied, “Mrs. Jones, you were quite right – I will be dragged through the mud with some very harsh statements that are completely bald-faced lies.”
One major point of contention was a request for recent meeting minutes. Clark and Gullatt both alleged that when they asked for the minutes of the November and December meetings, McCain refused to provide them.
Said Gullatt, “We asked for all these minutes that she has not done to be formulated. When Dr. Clark asked for the minutes, Vivian’s reply was ‘you’re not getting them.'”
McCain replied vociferously, “You are lying!”
Penuell was the only board member to defend McCain.
He said he had received many calls supporting McCain. “One constituent said that we should be honoring her with a Vivian McCain award in excellence in leadership.”
Penuell continued, saying that the board interfered with McCain’s operation of the library. “She has been treated abominably by members of the board,” he said.
With that, Penuell left the meeting and said he would see them at the January meeting. Asked to stay by Clark, he said, “I’m not interested in staying in this environment.”
Another issue mentioned was excessive personnel turnover. No actual statistics were cited, but Gullatt opined that 10 to 15 staff had left within the past year.
Board member Deborah Holliman was also critical of McCain.
She said, “This year, we’ve gone off the rails. We have seen a marked difference in our ability to work with Vivian.”