Kane suing BOE
over his firing
Kane's announcement comes as
By Debra Barayuga
a surprise to school board
Star-BulletinOutgoing state Librarian Bart Kane is suing the state Board of Education for wrongful termination by the board.
He is also filing suit against Sen. Rod Tam as agent for Metropolitan Life for financial mismanagement of his tax-sheltered annuity. Kane's attorneys William McCorriston and Darolyn Lendio were to file the lawsuits this afternoon, and to hold a news conference.
Tam and board member Francis McMillen, chairman of the board's public library committee, both were taken aback by the announcement this morning.
Kane had asked to remove Tam as his agent last year, said Tam, who declined to comment until he has seen details of the lawsuit.
As Senate Education chairman last year, Tam was critical of Kane's performance as state librarian, and testified against Kane when the education board reviewed his contract. The board on Feb. 20 voted 7-6 not to retain Kane after June 30, ending his 16-year tenure as head librarian, after three years of controversy.
McMillen today said although the Board of Education is often party to lawsuits, Kane's announcement comes as a surprise because in most cases the board is notified in advance or expects to be sued, such as in the Baker & Taylor book-buying contract that was terminated last year. The company has since sued the state for breach of that contract.
Two state audits criticized Kane's management style. He was under attack for declining morale within the library system, poor fiscal management and bad relationship with the Legislature. The $11.5 million book-buying contract with Baker & Taylor, which he initiated, was canceled after complaints by librarians, the public and committee recommendations.
Gregg K. Kakesako contributed to this report.
