Directors leave two AIDS care facilities

Spring has proved to be a time of flux at Grace House and Agape Home, two local adult foster-care facilities for people living with AIDS.

On April 17, Grace House executive director Polly Carl hosted a gala opening for Grace House II; the following week, the board of directors decided to terminate her.

Board vice chair Ray Thul confirmed last month that Carl no longer works for Grace House, but he would not specify any reasons for Carl's dismissal. She will continue work with the board "to finalize the remaining details associated with realizing the final construction and recent opening of Grace House II," he said.

The board will carry out all administrative duties as it conducts a search for the next executive director, Thul said. Staffer Michele Boyer continues as Grace House's program director. Carl declined to comment for this article.

In a personnel shift unrelated to Grace House, Agape Home employees Tim Barnes, the executive director, and Linda Ernst, the associate director, both resigned their positions in April. Barnes and Ernst held part-time positions at Agape home. Board Chair Dann Peterson says Barnes, who announced his intention to leave Agape home in January, turned in his resignation April 20; he now works in a full-time position with one of the Minnesota food-shelf networks. Barnes declined to comment. Ernst, who resigned April 22, left to "pursue other interests," says Peterson.

Peterson says, "The board has always had a good relationship with both of them." The board plans to consolidate the two positions and create one full-time job.