Menands voters will consider in May whether ownership of the Menands Public Library should be transferred from the school to the library Board of Trustees.
The Menands Board of Education approved on March 10 putting the transfer before voters as a proposition on May 20 – the district’s annual budget vote date. The vote will take place from noon until 8 p.m. in the District Office, located at 19 Wards Lane in the village.
Under an agreement reached this year, the library Board of Trustees will pay $1 and assume ownership of the building, giving the directors more autonomy in making improvements and updates without the regulatory hurdles associated with being owned by a school district.
Superintendent Jennifer Cannavo said the transfer is essentially a paperwork deal, as there will be no impact on the public’s use of the library and the Board of Trustees and the Menands School will continue to have a working relationship. This will include the district continuing to conduct the annual budget vote for the library, collecting taxes and transferring them to the Library Board of Directors.
“The library has maintained it and managed daily operations independently for years. Transferring ownership will give the library board a greater ability to improve the structure without first seeking state regulatory approval, which is a requirement of any projects that involve school district buildings,” Cannavo said.
“The school and library have a strong, valued partnership. This change ensures that both entities can continue working together to benefit the community,” Cannavo said.
The district has owned the library since 1982 after acquiring it from St. Joan of Arc for $1.