Residents ask board to review library 'morality' clause and question proposed school‑board pay increases

Two residents used citizens' time at the May 14 Hanover County Board of Supervisors meeting to raise concerns about a library director job posting and a proposed increase in school‑board pay.

Peggy Lavender said she remained “concerned about the job posting for the library board director” and asked whether the posting's morality clauses had been removed. Lavender said she was unsure whether the application period was closed and asked the county to review the posting and the questions that would be used to screen candidates: “I still would like that to be reviewed if it hasn't been.”

Patricia Hunter Jordan of the Coal Harbor District urged the board to reconsider the scale of a proposed pay increase for school‑board members. Jordan said she had “no objection to a pay raise, but I believe that this amount of a pay raise ... is just beyond the pale,” and asked that the board account for total compensation — including health insurance — and the optics of large increases for a part‑time position while the schools report needs for tutors and mental‑health counselors.

Both speakers asked the board to “tread lightly” and to consider whether total compensation comparisons with other counties factored in benefits such as health insurance. Jordan and Lavender requested review and transparency on how comparisons and final figures were determined.

The record shows these remarks were made during the public comment portion of the meeting; no formal action or vote related to the library posting or the school‑board pay proposal was recorded during citizens' time. Board members did not announce decisions on either matter at the close of the public‑comment period; the items remain under staff or board consideration per the meeting record.