Mindy Kittay Responds to Investigation

Editor’s Note: After reading our op-ed by Rene Amy, former Altadena Library Director Mindy Kittay sent the following response. We present it in its entirety without any alterations.

Mindy Kittay

I was so excited to come to Altadena and have the opportunity to assist the District in transforming into a 21^st century library, remodel a mid-century modern facility and to use my specialized skills in operating an Independent Library District.

By Mindy Kittay

From day one the citizens and organizations of Altadena reached out to me and made me feel welcome and wanted. Altadena and the Library are truly gems, and they deserve the praise that they receive. The transformation of the Library and the resulting effect on the community of Altadena is something to be proud of and was only accomplished because of the creativity, dedication and hard work of the willing and wonderful staff of the District.

This Investigation lacks any acknowledgment of the transformation of the Altadena Library. By strategically leaving out facts and documentation, it does injustice to the dedication and work of not only myself, but that of the staff and volunteers of the District. It also leaves out pertinent facts. There was no fiscal mismanagement of the library, staff morale had improved, and turnover was in the normal range. Documentation shows that the Director did everything in her power to engage the Trustees and to head off this train wreck by repeatedly requesting mediation, training for the Trustees in the role of the Director and the Board and training on the Brown Act.

There was
no fiscal mismanagement
of the library

2016 through 2017 included a renovation of the Main Library, substantial upgrades to the Branch Library, Community Conversations, 50^th Anniversary Celebration, increases to the Districts Fund Balance and Assets and a substantial improvement to staff morale, to name just a few of the highlights. (July 24, 2017 Board Package – Year in Review 2016-2017.)

The annual review of the Director from the Trustees made absolutely no mention of any accomplishments and focused only on areas of perceived shortcomings. These included accusations of fiscal mismanagement, lack of communication and poor staff morale/turnover. When presented with the facts around these accusations, which negated them all, I was labeled as defensive and unable to take criticism.

Despite the misleading narrative in the report about employee turnover during my Directorship, the actual facts are that employee turnover was slightly less than the 16-month period before I was hired. Employee morale was documented at nearly 100% satisfaction in November of 2018. (Page 86, October 23, 2017 Board Package).

Numerous requests by me to create a personnel committee including a Trustee to help improve communications and lend transparency to the process were denied. During my tenure there were three threatened lawsuits by past employees of which none came to fruition and ZERO dollars were paid out in settlements. All HR issues were managed by our HR firm and some included legal counsel so that separations were handled legally and as humanely as possible.

From 2015 to 2017 (per the Annual Audit) the Districts Total Net Position increased by $983,940. (November 27, 2017 Board Package.)  All charges of fiscal mismanagement were responded to immediately and completely and reviewed by the Districts’ Auditor, CPA and HR firm for accuracy. This included a complete analysis of the Directors salary. Multiple requests by me to discuss these charges with the Trustees were never responded to and eventually I posted the information in the November 27, 2017 Board Page for the public to review, (pages 78-111), (pages 112 – 121.)

Trustees were provided with substantial information via emails and Board Packages. Unfortunately, most emails were never responded to and based on the lack of knowledge regarding the accomplishments of the District, it can only be assumed that the Board Packages may not have been reviewed. The Director requested numerous times, that each Trustee meet with the Director quarterly to discuss their questions, concerns and to give input. Only one Trustee responded. Trustees McDonald and Zelada-Garcia both missed five Board meetings during this 12 month period. While Bershatsky was President of the Board he repeatedly complained to the Director that the Board was non-responsive to his emails and phone calls and it was like “herding cats” to get anything accomplished with them. Eventually, Trustee Bershatsky, while the President, in correspondence, notified the Director that he could make no appointments or schedule any meetings with her due to personal responsibilities. An outsourced consultant, after struggling to communicate with the Trustees in order to get their input on the Board Retreat, confirmed that they were non-responsive.

Both the Director and local activist Rene Amy requested an outsourced review of the Directors work in relation to the Strategic and Operational plans of the District as well as a review of the Trustees and their work in relation to the same and their Bylaws, to be used as a tool to improve everyone’s performance. This was ignored. The Director brought into the loop Legal Counsel and the Districts Risk Management Provider in order to head off this downward spiral and protect the District by assisting the Board in training and guidance. The Trustees either ignored or refused all of these requests and recommendations including those made by Legal Counsel and Risk Management.

Elected officials, even those that are volunteers, as in the case of the Altadena Library District, are responsible for fulfilling their duties as prescribed in their bylaws. It is the role of the Director to assist the board in doing so. Unfortunately, this was not welcomed or accepted. This is illustrated by the unwillingness and resistance by the board to accept the advice of legal counsel, risk management and the Director.

I put my
heart and soul
into Altadena
and the Library

There are numerous examples in this report where the Directors statements are in direct opposition to Trustee statements. The investigator never followed through to inquire if the Director had documentation to support her claims and statements even though the Director made a point of letting the investigator know that such documents existed. This disingenuous report is filled with relevant omissions.

I put my heart and soul into Altadena and the Library. I worked non-stop for almost three years in order to create a community centered, responsive library that was a fun and rewarding place to work. What we accomplished was done by employees who were creative team players gratified by our successes. We would not have been as successful as we were in transforming the Altadena Library without having a staff that was excited and motivated to fulfill the vision. I am proud to have been a part of this transformation and I believe that what was accomplished speaks for itself.