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News Brief

Aug. 13, 2025 |  By: Gavin McGough

St. Joseph City School Board tried and failed to remove the Board President

St. Joseph School Board meeting

Turmoil has rocked the St Joseph City School Board this summer as board members trade accusations of harrasment, in-fighting, and outside influence from conservative political groups.

At a special meeting earlier this week, a group of board members attempted to remove the Board President Latonya Williams from her post, but the effort failed. KXCV's Gavin McGough has more. 

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President of the St. Joseph School Board Latonya Williams will retain her seat after an effort to oust her failed at a special meeting on Aug. 11th. Turmoil has rocked the seven-member board this summer as members trade accusations of harassment, in-fighting, and outside influence from conservative political groups.


Meanwhile, the district is facing operational challenges, including construction delays at elementary schools and athletic facilities which will not be resolved for the return of students on Aug. 19th. Additionally, the district learned this summer that millions of budgeted dollars are nonexistent due to clerical errors, capital-project expenses and
incorrect enrollment estimates.


Robert Hedgecorth, who began in June as Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations presented on cost-saving measures at Monday’s Special Meeting.


“We can get more aggressive [with cuts], or we can flatten them out,” he explained. “But we’re looking at $8 million in cuts in the next couple of years,”


Hedgecorth suggested a two-year plan to dial back spending on school supplies, thirdparty contract work, and $6 million in salary reductions achieved through retirements and attrition.


The district is also pursuing a voter-approved, though divisive, plan to consolidate high schools in the coming years. At the meeting, Superintendent Ashly McGinnis said consolidation was becoming increasingly “urgent.”

Amidst the turmoil, board member Kim Miller called a special session to remove Latonya Williams from the position of Board President. In a phone interview before the meeting, Williams said she was “in the dark” about Miller’s motivation.

“I’ve been the president for the past two and a half years, and I’ve been doing my job
effectively and efficiently as I always have,” she said.


Williams has reported a series of “personal and professional attacks” that she ties back to a Christian political organization which donated campaign funds to fellow board members.


Reporting from KCUR Radio has established connections between the right-wing Herzog Charitable Foundation, based in Smithville, MO, and the attacks Williams is receiving. Williams clarified she spoke to KXCV representing herself, not the board.

KXCV contacted Miller for an interview, but she has so far declined to speak on the record. At Monday’s meeting, Miller said she was pursuing the ouster to protect Superintendent McGinnis. “My biggest concern is there’s been a lack of support for Dr. McGinnis,” she said. The superintendent’s office declined to comment on the matter.


Miller reportedly had secured the votes to remove Williams from the presidency, with three members supporting her. But public comment during the meeting altered that outcome.


For nearly an hour, members of the public spoke in support of Williams. Meanwhile, district educators came forward to report anxiety amongst the staff. They asked the board to focus on students, teachers, and district challenges rather than political infighting.


When it came to introduce a motion to reorganize the board, no members came forward. The board quickly voted to adjourn.


After the meeting, Dakota Allen, a first-grade teacher in St. Joseph, expressed some surprise. But he said, “I’m grateful they took the opportunity to listen to the public’s comments.”


Allen added he hopes the district will turn its attention to solving its financial troubles and improving low student test-scores which jeopardize the district’s accreditation.


If the evening proved anything, said longtime St. Jo resident Sarah Hochschwender, it’s that “this is a community which stands 100% behind Latonya Williams.”