Bartlett Center Board says Williams resigned, Williams: ‘That’s not accurate’

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- A statement released by the Bartlett Center Board of Directors details that Executive Director LaTonya Williams offered to resign from her position, Williams said she in fact, did not.

Williams shared she was informed by phone the evening of Friday, Sept. 18 that the Board of Directors had decided to end her employment.

She stated the decision included City Manager Mike Schumacher and was at the direction of the St. Joseph City Council as well.

KQ2 reached out to the Bartlett Center Board of Directors to get a statement:

"It’s no secret we’ve struggled financially. The fact we were once again behind on rent and likely unable to make end of month payroll, it became clear to us there was no path forward on our own. 

A meeting was held with the City to discuss a possible transition to a new provider to ensure the Bartlett Center would remain open. 

During the meeting we learned a new provider has been identified. The City and the new provider are committed to a smooth transition for the sake of the children, their families and the staff. 

LaTonya offered to resign during the 09/17/26 Board meeting. The board discussed it might not be necessary as a new provider might want her assistance with the transition.

The new provider does not require her assistance and the board then voted to accept her verbal resignation."

Following a phone interview with Williams, she said the board was looking at options to save money during its Sept. 17 meeting, since the Bartlett Center was not going to be able to make payroll.

"During our meeting Thursday evening, we were discussing our options. My board said 'I don't know what to do. We're not able to make he payroll, I don't know a way out of this.' And we discussed options, because we were also told that no one was giving money as long as I'm there and no one was offering to help as long as I'm there," Williams said. "And I said, 'Well okay, so what's the answer?' in my meeting, 'to resign?' My board said no, let's not even discuss that right now, or put it in meeting minutes or anything like that."

Williams said the board offered to go to the City to see if it could help with finances.

"The next afternoon, I received a call saying they have a plan moving forward with another provider, and they (the City) will take care of the back rent and help the Bartlett going forward. I am not apart of that transition, effective immediately, and the board has taken a vote over text to accept your resignation," said Williams. "I said 'What resignation? I didn't resign,' and they're like, 'Okay, well, we were discussing it at the meeting.' Yes, it was a formal discussion and we discussed a lot of things, but there was not like, a formal resignation. It was not like a letter."'

Williams said the discussion of resignation was a conversation, there was not a meeting notice or agenda.

While Williams said a resignation would be "cleaner," she said that's not what happened.

"I'm not upset at my board," Williams said. "I don't like how things were handled...and I am kind of disappointed at the rollout."

"I know that other entities tied their hands and they crippled the Bartlett Center. Me and my board have been mentioning about these issues for months and months and months...That is not a coincidence," said Williams. "The very ones who crippled us, gave this ultimatum and now they're offering all the help that we've been crying for, for months."

KQ2 also reached out to the City of St. Joseph to get a statement as well. The City sent out a news release just after 4:30 p.m. Monday.

"The City of St. Joseph did not participate in the Bartlett Center board's decision regarding its director or in the board's subsequent actions to dissolve the organization and had no prior knowledge of the meeting or issues to be discussed."

The City said in a meeting with the Bartlett Center Board of Directors, leadership asked if the City wanted the director to assist with the transition of the program to another entity. The offer was declined.

In addition, Williams' employment status was not discussed by City officials with Bartlett Center board members, according to the statement.

“I can speak to what was discussed when we met, and the resignation of the Bartlett Center’s executive director was not requested,” City Manager Mike Schumacher said. “The City has no role in employment decisions between an employer and its employees. No City staff or leaders were present for conversations between the director and the Bartlett Center board, so we cannot speak to what the director was told during those conversations.”