SJSD board member asks to rescind March personnel report vote

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Following her vote and approval of the March probationary teacher list, a St. Joseph School District Board of Education member is asking the board to rescind the vote.

In her April 2 letter to the board that KQ2 obtained through a sunshine request, board member Kim Miller submitted a request to the other six board members to rescind the vote and re-vote at the April 27 meeting.

Miller's ask comes after fellow board member Whitney Lanning took to Facebook following the March 23 board meeting and said that Miller had voted and approved the personnel report that included Miller's son.

According to Article VII, Section 6 of the Missouri Constitution, any public official or employee in Missouri appoints or names any relative within the fourth degree has to forfeit their office or employment.

Miller said she "immediately verbally discussed a rescission of my vote on the personnel report with the Board Secretary." Miller had voted for and approved the hiring of her son.

Meanwhile, the days following the meeting, board president LaTonya Williams stated that she tried to reach out to Miller and discuss the matter privately, but never heard back from Miller.

Williams said the matter has been handed over to the proper state authorities.

In a statement to KQ2 last week, Williams said that legal counsel recommended a voluntary resignation by Miller.

However, in her letter to the board last week, Miller said that "this request is a proactive measure to avoid any potential appearance of a conflict of interest, not an admission of a violation of law or board policy. I did not engage in deliberation, discussion, or influence over my son's employment recommendation."