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JKPL board decision on Gonzales this week or next
The Joeten Kiyu Public Library board of directors met yesterday afternoon to discuss the fate of the library’s executive director, John Oliver Gonzales.
In an interview with JKPL board chair Mark Rabauliman yesterday evening, he confirmed that board members informally met yesterday at 3pm to almost 5pm but no decision was made whether to retain Gonzales or ask for his resignation.
“We will be probably reach a decision by the end of this week or the start of next week,” he said.
Rabauliman said that board members heard Gonzales and the JKPL staff that had been asking for his ouster.
He said the issue would also be discussed with other agencies, especially on personnel matters.
Rabauliman said he couldn’t disclose particulars due to personnel matters being confidential.
“We’re trying to make sure not to overstep our actions until further clarified,” he said.
He said the temporary compromise where JKPL staff will continue work while Gonzales remains at home stays in place.
In the meantime, Gonzales was required to finish and submit JKPL’s budget request to the government and Rabauliman confirmed that the embattled JKPL executive director did so last Friday.
“We’re continuing to put things in place so that a resolution can be in place,” he said.
Board members intervened last Feb. 18 after library employees were found sitting outside the JKPL’s parking lot and refusing to enter the library and resume work.
The staff walkout was reportedly triggered by a shouting match between an employee and Gonzales during an informal staff meeting in the morning.
Staff alleged that they walked out because of a “climate of fear.” Other allegations included Gonzales obtaining information from the transition report of staff comments that were supposed to be confidential.
