Thacker appointed to Clark County Public Library Board of Trustees

Published 12:30 pm Tuesday, July 18, 2023

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After months of uncertainty, a new Clark County Public Library (CCPL) Board of Trustees has been appointed.

Carlye Thacker, who has a Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky and runs the Seat of Wisdom Homeschool Co-op, was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Dawn Alvarado that ends on June 3, 2025 during the magisterial comments portion of the Clark County Fiscal Court meeting on Wednesday, July 12.

“I think she will be a huge asset to the Clark County Library Board [of Trustees],” said Magistrate Dan Konstantopoulos. “She is very well educated and brings another perspective as far as homeschooling and so forth.”

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Konstantopoulos motioned on Wednesday to appoint Thacker, which Magistrate Chris Davis seconded.

The appointment of a new Clark County Public Library Board of Trustees member has been debated for approximately six months since Alvarado announced her resignation.

Much of the debate has surrounded whether candidates do or do not support the Clark County Public Library Board of Trustees’ actions in December, which was to restrict children under the age of 18 from checking out the graphic novel “Gender Queer” by Maia Kobabe unless a parent or guarding provided written consent.

After an application process that saw over twenty residents apply to be the newest member, two – Thacker and Kim Elkins – were chosen by the CCPL Board of Trustees for nomination.

However, at an April meeting of the Clark County Fiscal Court, a motion was brought up to nominate two alternative candidates for the position.

The motion failed 5-2, with Magistrate Robert Blanton and Clark County Judge-Executive Les Yates voting in favor of choosing two alternative nominees.

At the time, Judge Yates explained why he went with the two nominees.

“I was told by the KDLA [that] they would like to rescind the first two names that they submitted to me, and I waited probably another two or three weeks, and they then sent two more names”, he said. “The difference was…to complete the term, the local library committee would select two names. If there was a vacancy in office, then the State Department of Library and Archives [would] submit two names.”

With the two alternative nominees not approved, no action was taken at that time.

Upon the motion being made on Wednesday to appoint Thacker, Yates brought up an initial concern.

“I have been waiting to hear back from the Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives. Have we had a discussion with them?” he inquired.

Konstantopoulos mentioned Kentucky Revised Statute 67.710, specifically Section 9, which states the following:

“When directed by statute or an ordinance of that county to make an appointment and fill a vacancy, nominate a person to fill the vacancy within sixty (60) days of the date of the vacancy. The fiscal court shall approve or disapprove the nomination within forty-five (45) days of the receipt of the nomination. If the county judge/executive fails to nominate a person within sixty (60) days of the date of the vacancy, the fiscal court may fill the vacancy. If the fiscal court fails to approve or disapprove a nomination within forty-five (45) days of the nomination, the county judge/executive’s nominee is deemed to have been approved. If the fiscal court disapproves a nomination, the county judge/executive shall nominate another person to fill the vacancy within forty-five (45) days of the disapproval. If the county/judge executive fails to nominate another person within forty-five (45) days, a majority of the fiscal court may fill the vacancy.”

Looking to clarify, Yates asked further.

“Are they then required 45 days, or something, to submit names?” he asked.

Magistrate Chris Davis responded that it should have already taken place after 45 days yet did not, while other magistrates agreed that action could therefore take place.

The motion was approved without discernment.

Asked why the motion was made during magisterial comments, Konstantopoulos offered this comment.

“It’s not an agenda item,” he said. “Therefore, it has to go through magisterial comments. That’s the only time I have to bring anything up for the body to consider.”

Several magistrates offered support for Thacker.

“I think she’s an excellent person for the job,” said Magistrate Mark Miller. “I know that she loves the library. I know she’s put a lot of time in there.”

“I’ve known Carlye and her family for a very long time [and] know she’s highly qualified,” said Magistrate Steve Craycraft.

“I feel certain she’ll be an outstanding board member,” added Magistrate Chris Davis.

Magistrates Robert Blanton and Ernest Pasley did not provide comment for this story.

The KDLA did not respond to a request for comment for this story.