Discussions are underway to settle a lawsuit filed by a member of the Gary Library Board who contended she was illegally removed from that board by members of the now-defunct Gary Community School Corp.’s advisory board.
A state Senate bill that established an appointed school board dissolved the advisory board upon the bill’s passage on May 5 when Gov. Eric Holcomb signed it.
New appointed board members are expected to be in place July 1.
Library board member Jacquese White sued the former advisory board Feb. 10, alleging the school advisory board failed to follow state law when it met and voted to remove her on Jan. 27.
Robert Buggs, a member of both the library and advisory boards, maintained White intimidated and harassed two young videographers he hired to record library board meetings. He convinced other advisory board members to vote to remove White from the library board.
The case is still ongoing in Lake Superior Court Judge Bruce Parent’s court.
White’s attorney Jewell Harris Jr. said he’s meeting with the school district now because the advisory board no longer has standing in the case. He said the case is close to a resolution. “We are saying she was never properly removed,” Harris said.
School district manager Paige McNulty sent a May 8 letter to Buggs telling him the new law dismantled the advisory board and said it won’t hold any more meetings.
Buggs still contended the advisory board shouldn’t be dissolved until July 1 when the new appointed board takes office.
Under the bill, the district will have five appointed board members in July and they could gain full governing power by next July.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
