Altadena Library District reaches settlement with former Director Mindy Kittay
SETTLEMENT MARKS AN END TO BROWN ACT, EMPLOYMENT ISSUES
MONDAY, JAN. 28, 2019 – In its closed session on Monday evening, the Board of Trustees at the Altadena Library District approved the final version of a settlement, initially voted upon November 26, 2018, between the Altadena Library District and former Library Director, Mindy Kittay. It has been signed by all respondents, including Ms. Kittay, current Trustees Terry Andrues, Betsy Kahn, and Gwen McMullins, as well as former Trustees John McDonald, Ira Bershatsky, and Armando Zambrano.
“We’re glad to put an end to this chapter of the District’s history,” said Board President and Trustee Terry Andrues. “We’re looking forward to moving into the future and focusing on the outstanding services, programs, and resources that the Library provides to Altadena.”
The litigation with Kittay has been a topic of great contention in Altadena, with accusations of harassment and gender discrimination, Brown Act violations, and improper practices levelled. In exchange for a complete release of all known and unknown claims, and a dismissal of the lawsuit with prejudice, the District has agreed to pay Ms. Kittay a total of $550,000, resolving the issue. A substantial portion of that amount – $375,000 – will be paid by the District’s insurance services via SDRMA (Special District Risk Management Authority), with the remaining $175,000 to be paid by the District in a series of installments. A copy of the settlement is publicly available for inspection at the Main Library.
The Board also adopted a resolution on Monday evening to hire as Interim Library Director Cindy Cleary, who formerly served as the Director of the Glendale Library System. “Having Cindy’s experience to guide us through this transition will be invaluable,” said Andrues.
####
Board President
Terry Andrues: (626) 390-2968 or tandrues@altadenalibrary.org
Legal Counsel
Ruben Duran, General Counsel: (213) 787-2569 or rubenduran@bbklaw.com