Record of Proceedings
Ritter Public Library Board of Trustees
Regular Session
Meeting Date: Tuesday, June 9th, 2026
The Board of Trustees of Ritter Public Library convened in regular session at 7:00 PM in the Ritter Public Library Meeting Room A. Warden called the meeting to order with the following members and visitors present:
Julie Armstrong-Sexton: Present
Lois Arnold: Present
Doug Brown: Absent
Chad Coolidge: Absent
Mary Deucher: Present
Jacob Raffo: Present
Marie Warden: Present
Employees: C. Grizzell, C. Springer, A. Folley
Visitors:
Certification of Notification:
Springer certified that a notice of the meeting had been posted in the June 4, 2026, edition of the Vermilion Photojournal, as well as the Ritter Public Library social media outlets and Library Website.
Approval of Minutes:
Arnold moved that the May 2026 Regular Board Meeting minutes be approved as presented, and Raffo seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Correspondence:
Grizzell received a thank you letter from the Erie County Board of Elections for being a polling place.
Director’s Report:
Grizzell reviewed the Director’s report (attached).
Grizzell presented the Board with a proposal from Pinnacle for a 2-day management training. It will be held at the Library. This will be scheduled for the beginning of July (attached).
Grizzell also presented the Board on an update on the Strategic Plan goals (attached). She also presented some extra goals that we would like to work on. Operationalizing Outreach to the schools and nursing homes; options for another large budget cut in 2027.
Warden asked if we are still keeping the Bliss Family Local History area equipment upstairs. At this time, those machines will be staying there, as there is not a good place for them right now. The information and new equipment will all be going into the Ritter Room.
Financial Report:
Springer reviewed the Fiscal Officer’s report (attached).
Warden moved to accept the financials as presented, and Arnold seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Committee Reports:
Policy
Arnold mentioned that we should be considering creating and implementing an AI Policy. This is a new issue, and neighboring libraries are considering the parameters and potential rules. We will discuss this further in the future.
Warden asked if we would sit down as Building & Grounds to review the Building Assessment. Jason from GPD will do a presentation for the full board.
Public Comment:
None
Old Business:
Parental Leave Update:
Grizzel presented a draft Parental Leave MOU for bargaining employees (attached). The MOU needs a few bits of information corrected, but basic plan is solid. Armstrong-Sexton asked what if the parent is taking the “second” 12 weeks. That is a very good suggestion. The full Board agrees with that amendment. That change will be made, and the MOU will be presented to the Union.
New Business:
Resolution to Approve the 2027 Initial Tax Budget
Warden moved the adoption of the following resolution:
Be it resolved by the Board of Library Trustees of the Ritter Public Library that the 2027 Initial Tax Budget, as presented, be adopted and forwarded to the VLSD Board of Education for approval.
Raffo seconded the resolution and the roll called upon its adoption.
The vote resulted as follows:
Armstrong-Sexton – Aye; Arnold – Aye; Brown – Absent; Coolidge – Absent; Deucher – Aye; Raffo – Aye; Warden – Aye
Executive Session
Warden then moved that the Board enter Executive Session to discuss the discipline of a public employee. No decision will be made as a result of executive session. Arnold seconded the motion and the roll was called.
Roll call vote resulted as follows: Armstrong – Aye; Arnold – Aye; Brown – Absent; Coolidge – Absent; Deucher – Aye; Raffo – Aye; Warden – Aye.
The Board moved into Executive Session at 7:33pm.
The Board moved out of Executive Session at 8:03pm.
Move to Adjourn
Duecher moved to adjourn and Armstrong-Sexton seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:04pm.
The meeting was adjourned until Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 7:00pm at the Ritter Public Library.