Missouri school board member pleads guilty to harassment over profane tirade caught on video

A school board member in St Joseph, Missouri pleaded guilty on Tuesday to harassment stemming from an incident following a school board meeting in February.

Whitney Lanning, an at-large member of the St Joseph School District (SJSD) Board, was caught on video after verbally harassing another school board member, Isaura Garcia, in a video that was widely shared in local media.

“This behavior is unacceptable,” Garcia said about Lanning’s attack, as reported in The Lion. “As a public servant, I can no longer sit idly by while a member of the board of education attacks, verbally abuses and bullies other board members, district employees and members of the public.” 

Prior to the guilty plea, Lanning was terminated from her position as executive director at the Community Action Partnership of Greater St. Joseph (CAPSTJOE).  

In a planned lawsuit two years before, employees of CAPSTJOE had accused Lanning of creating a toxic work environment at the social welfare organization, where she earned a six-figure salary and managed a $10 million budget.  

Lanning also appeared to have a conflict of interest, with CAPSTJOE running a Head Start program at the school district property, rent free. 

Appearing before Associate Circuit Judge Chad Gaddie, Lanning was placed on two years’ probation and ordered to attend anger management courses in the wake of the guilty plea.  

Lanning was charged with a Class A misdemeanor, which could have resulted in up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.  

The Lion reached out to current SJSD board president, LaTonya Williams, for comment on the guilty plea, but did not receive a reply by publication. 

Prior to the guilty plea, Williams, who also serves as Board Treasurer for CAPSTJOE, had little to say about the harassment charge.  

“It is our understanding that this incident has been referred to outside agencies for appropriate action as warranted. The Board emphasizes that individual board members are responsible for their own actions and do not speak or act on the board’s behalf unless they are designated by the board to do so,” said Williams in a statement.