Board adopts change requiring patrons to seek building‑level resolution under library policy

The board adopted a revision to Policy 6.50.1 (Library and resource center materials procedures) that changes the language from encouraging patrons to meet at the building level to requiring that step.

Director Kevin Gifford presented the update, telling trustees the substantive change is procedural: patrons would be required to meet with the school‑level contact (principal or librarian) first, then, if unresolved, the complaint would move to the superintendent for review and only then to the board. "The change that we're recommending to you is that that be a requirement," Gifford said, adding the goal is to resolve issues at the building level where possible.

Trustees asked clarifying questions about whether patrons should initially be directed to principals or librarians; Gifford said the policy text still references both and that he will review the procedural steps with principals at the start of the school year. A motion to adopt the policy change was made, seconded and passed by the trustees.

The revised policy is intended to reduce the number of matters brought to the board for public decision and to encourage earlier, collaborative resolution at the school level; the superintendent remains the next step if building‑level resolution fails.