Meeting Minutes January 2026

Belleville Area District Library
Meeting Minutes
Date: January 13, 2026

  • Call to Order: Chair Sharon Peters called the meeting to order at 7:40 pm.
  • Moment of Silence:  The board held a moment of silence for the passing of library board trustee Alma Hughes-Grubbs.
  • Roll Call: The following board members were present: Joy Cichewicz, Dan Fleming, Maria Jackson-Smith, Sharon Peters, Linda Priest, and Tanya Stoudemire.
  • Also present:  Library Director Mary Jo Suchy, Library Assistant Director Hilary Savage.
  • Selection of 2026 Board Officers:  Motion by Jackson-Smith, seconded by Fleming, to nominate the following slate of officers:  Sharon Peters, Chair; Linda Priest, Vice-Chair; Joy Cichewicz, Secretary; and Tanya Stoudemire, Treasurer.  There were no other nominations.  The motion carried unanimously.
  • Approve Agenda: Motion by Priest, seconded by Stoudemire, to approve the January 13, 2026, agenda as presented.  The motion carried unanimously.
  • Approve December 9, 2025, Minutes: Motion by Cichewicz, seconded by Priest, to approve the December 9, 2025, minutes as presented. The motion carried unanimously.
  • Public Comments: No Comments.
  • Committee Reports:
  • Building: No report.
  • Bylaws: Library attorney, Anne Seurynck, is looking at the current bylaws and will provide a bylaws template for the board.    
  • Finance: Stoudemire presented the results of the audit.  The library received an unmodified opinion (the best opinion possible).  Revenue was higher than budgeted and expenditures were lower than budgeted.
  • Outreach: No Report.
  • Personnel:
    • Director’s Evaluation:  Priest reported the results of the director’s evaluation.  Director Suchy performed her job at a very high level in all categories.  Suchy’s goals for 2026 were reviewed.  Motion by Cichewicz, seconded by Jackson-Smith, to give Suchy a 4% salary increase.  The motion carried unanimously.
    • Salary Range Recommendations:  The board reviewed the staff salary range recommendations and updated the director’s salary range to a minimum salary of $84,630 and a maximum salary of $109,809.  Motion by Cichewiz, seconded by Stoudemire, to accepted the salary range recommendations as amended.  The motion carried unanimously.       
  • Policy: No Report.
  • Art: New art is on display.
  • Approve Accounts Payable: Motion by Cichewicz, seconded by Priest, to approve the accounts payable as presented. The motion carried unanimously.
  • Director’s Report: See attached. Suchy expressed her grief at the death of board Secretary Alma Hughes-Grubbs.  After discussion, it was agreed that the bylaws committee will meet to establish a process for appointing an interim board member until the next election.
  • Trustee Comments:  Board members also expressed their grief at the loss of Alma and shared their memories of her.
  • Chair Comments: Noted that Alma was well loved and had so much heart.  She served the community very well.
  • Adjournment: Motion to adjourn by Fleming, seconded by Priest. The meeting adjourned at 9:12 pm.

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