Community members file lawsuit to remove Miller from SJSD board

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) - A lawsuit has been filed against St. Joseph School District Board of Education member Kim Miller amid an ongoing investigation into a violation of the Missouri Constitution.

The lawsuit was officially field as a "Quo Warranto lawsuit" meaning "by what authority" and is in place to hold elected officials accountable under the court of law. It is specifically being filed against Miller because of a violation of Article Vll, Section 6 of the Missouri State Constitution stating Miller voted for a family member holding employment within the district.

"I think it's a shame we're even having to resort to these measures," LaTonya Williams, SJSD board member, said. "In all honesty everything is extremely cut and dry, it was a violation of the Missouri Constitution. It states if you do these things it automatically invokes forfeit of your seat. She's already acknowledged these actions, it's on video and we watched it happen. I don't understand what the issue is."

The lawsuit being filed concerns the case being ignored after what community members believe was "adequate time" for Miller to remove herself from office. Additionally, the lawsuit is calling for a mandated reorganization of the board positions of president and vice president due to the ethical nature of Miller's endorsement being put into question.

"I know that the community has lots of questions about all the members of the board," Williams said. "We create and execute the policies, but now we're portraying we are exempt from the policies. I don't think it's a good message, we're showing to our constituents. I look at it this every day and try to do what is right, even if it's hard and don't approve. Hopefully due process will occur."

The lawsuit was filed by Williams, Dakota Allen, SJSD teacher; Sydney Pinion, community member; Cydney Puckett, creator of the nonprofit organization "Herzog-free SJSD;" and Stacie Sanders, SJSD parent.

Miller has not responded to a request for comment. She did previously send a letter to the SJSD Board of Education requesting that the vote be rescinded and retaken so that she could abstain. The board has not yet taken action on that request.

The board is next scheduled to meet at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 27, in the Troester Media Center, located at 3401Renick St.

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