Brandon Twp.- School officials say a legal battle with the library over student library card fees moved one step closer after recent negotiations between the two entities have all but ended.
On Sept. 13, the school board convened in closed session to discuss future litigation regarding the township library.
‘I think it’s embarrassing all the way around,? said Beth Nuccio, school board president.
‘The Brandon board believes that kids anywhere in the (school) district can use the library. From the school district point of view, it matters not where you live, it’s not the spirit of the agreement (with the library). Court is our last resort, we’re trying to reconcile this issue.?
Library officials say anyone can use the facility including students. However, if they live outside the township and request a library card to check out materials, students are subject to a $6 fee consistent with the terms of an earlier agreement.
‘The library has not changed a thing,? said Joann Gavey library director. ‘It’s the way the cards are sold. Nothing was done to harm anything, the library policy has not changed since it was establish.?
The dispute surrounds a 1997 contract between the school district and the library over the interpretation of a Student Patron Fee Agreement. At the same time, the Real Estate Transfer Agreement contract transferred about two acres of school district property for $1 to the library, for construction of the current facility which opened in 2000.
The controversy erupted when library officials said in December 2003 that Groveland Township residents contribute only three percent (about $25,000) of the library operating revenue. Conversely, township residents pay the majority of the library operations through a millage of about 1.8265. As a result, the library board requested that Groveland Township residents agree to a new yearly contract of $190,686, to cover about 2,340 library cards.
The Groveland Township Board of Trustees turned down the request in February, and as of April 1, library services were terminated. Groveland Township residents can purchase family library cards for $150 or single cards for $100. About 90 cards have been purchased since April 1.
Then in February, school officials were notified they would be charged $6 per library card for each Groveland Township student who attends Brandon School District. School officials balked at the charge and maintain the library has chosen to put the kids in the middle of the fee disagreement with Groveland Township. In a closed session meeting the school board approved legal action against the library.
Since April, school and library officials along with attorneys for both, have grappled with possible solutions to the dispute including a special Groveland Township Brandon student library cards.
Despite the efforts, in a letter dated Aug. 31 from the library board of trustees to the board of education, library officials refused to change their position on the issue.
‘Non-resident students have always been charged a fee unless otherwise covered by some other policy,? said Matthew Ault, library board president, in the letter.
‘Groveland students were previously covered by the contract with Groveland Township which provided for their library cards. Now those students are solely covered by the Non-Resident Student Patron Policy which allows them a patron card for $6 per year.?
Library officials say about 188 student cards have been purchased including students from outside the district, charter schools or colleges. About 950 Brandon students live in Groveland Township.
‘We’ve made several attempts to meet with the library regarding this issue,? said Bart Jenniches, district superintendent. ‘I don’t have a problem if (the library board) has an issue with the adults. When it comes to the kids then I have a problem.?
‘It’s going to make us think twice about entering into an agreement with other entities with in this community,? said Jenniches. ‘The land (for the library) was transferred in good faith and for the good of the community.?