Koehler out as Port Jervis Free Library director

The Port Jervis Free Library held a special meeting of the board of trustees on Wednesday, March 4, to discuss and finalize the resignation of Library Director Curran Koehler.

The meeting began with public comment, where statements were made regarding the board’s approach to removing Koehler from his position. The concerns were directed at the amount of taxpayer money that was being spent to buy Koehler out of his contract, including severance pay until the end of the year at an increased rate, continued payment of his and his family’s insurance and a $15,000 lump sum for relocation.

After Koehler’s departure, the board is also to hire an interim director for the period until they find a new permanent director, which will cost tax dollars during the transition. The position will pay $500 per day, with an additional $85 per hour for any hours worked beyond the standard amount.

Koehler, who became director on Sept. 21, 2025 was removed as library director due to his reported failure to properly handle library matters for an extended period. Issues such as cancelling programs, like the senior yoga classes, without communication with those program leaders, were paramount in the decision to remove him from his position.

The situation is complicated by Koehler being a contracted civil servant, so the board could not simply terminate his position. Instead, they had to pursue a more amicable solution between the parties, in this case, a buyout to avoid an extended court resolution.

These concerns were heard by the board; they made no change to the agenda after the meeting continued, and none of the board members voted in dissent of the plan that was in place. This was met with disapproval by those in attendance, who felt the board was not handling taxpayer money responsibly.

This situation has raised discontent in the community, not only with the former director but also with the library’s board of trustees. This is the second director to be bought out of his position, which is seen as a gross mismanagement of taxpayer funding.

Koehler did not respond to the Courier’s request for comment.

On or around March 9, Edward Falcone of Cortlandt Manor, N.Y., assumed the role of interim director, according to a letter sent to him by the library. This temporary position is anticipated to be for up to six months and requires Port Jervis City Civil Service approval to continue after three months. The library may determine to extend this position beyond three months. If a permanent director is selected at during Falcone’s tenure with the library, his temporary position will end.