While “there’s nothing specifically I could put my finger on,” trustee John Nicholas said in the July 24 San Antonio Express-News, he noted that “there comes a time to know when things need to change.”
Gloria Malone said the lack of specific reason made her vote against the action. “Administrative leave means you have done something that was not part of your job and it merits an investigation, and this was not the case.”
Although the board can hire or fire employees without city council approval, they need to provide an explanation, said Councilman Julián Castro. “I don’t have any reason to think they’re not doing a good job, but it is an anomaly and we have to look at it,” he said.
Isenstein, who was hired in 2000 and previously had been director of the Public Library of Des Moines in Iowa, was present for the board vote but left afterward without making a statement. Another special meeting is scheduled for July 28.
Posted July 28, 2003.