Longtime Jones Library Board of Trustee Kathleen Wang has resigned effective Jan. 21
AMHERST – Longtime Jones Library Board of Trustee Kathleen Wang has resigned effective Jan. 21, but her resignation comes too late for her position to be placed on the ballot in next month’s annual town election.
Wang told board president Patricia G. Holland that she is extremely busy and has had difficulty making it to the meetings.
Wang is the principal of the Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School, which is continuing to grow.
“I will miss her,” Holland said. “She has a wonderful clear, calm eye on the situation.”
Elected in 2004, Wang was re-elected to a third term last year.
The board has been criticized for the review process of former library Director Bonnie J. Isman, who retired in December.
Without Wang, the board is left with just four working members, and that reduced number is making it hard for committee work, Holland said.
Member Carol Gray is in Egypt, and unless she leaves because of the growing political unrest, she won’t be back until June, Holland said.
Wang’s position would have to be filled by a joint Select Board, Jones Library Board of Trustee appointment.
But that can’t happen for 65 days from the date of Wang’s resignation, Holland said.
The trustees, meanwhile, has a committee meeting to talk about the next steps in finding Isman’s replacement.
Tevis Kimball, curator of special collections at the library, is acting director until a permanent director is found.
“Tevis is doing a marvelous job,” Holland said. “We’re delighted.”
Four, meanwhile, have taken out papers for the two seats on the board that are up for re-election. The deadline to file those papers is Tuesday.