Hailey
In St. Joseph, Missouri, a heated dispute has emerged involving two school board members and the powerful Stanley M. Herzog Charitable Foundation.
LaTonya Williams and Whitney Lanning, both elected members of the St. Joseph School District Board of Education, claim that the foundation has helped instigate a campaign of harassment against them due to their political beliefs, advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, and opposition to book bans and religious education in public schools.
This conflict began intensifying in July 2023 when Williams posted a photo of rainbow-themed items purchased from Target.
The post, intended to show support for the Bartlett Center—where she serves as executive director—quickly sparked backlash among local residents. Detractors accused her of promoting LGBTQ+ ideology in child-focused spaces.
One user in a Facebook group titled “We the people 3 schools” even suggested violent imagery, saying, “Is tar and feathering a crime?” This group, often critical of school board policies, has been closely linked to online harassment campaigns targeting Williams and Lanning.
Harassment Allegations Tied to Religious Foundation
Williams and Lanning allege that much of the scrutiny stems from the Stanley M. Herzog Charitable Foundation, headquartered in Smithville, Missouri.
The foundation, known for its mission to spread Christian education, runs a website called The Lion, which has published critical articles about the school board members.
The Lion accused them of breaking Missouri laws, including conflicts of interest due to their nonprofit affiliations and alleged misuse of school resources during a $20 million bond campaign.
These allegations prompted an investigation by Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey. Bailey’s office later echoed similar concerns, demanding public records from the district related to board activity and employment ties.
While the foundation denies any direct involvement in harassment, the articles fueled online vitriol, including repeated personal attacks on social media. Critics accused the women of financial misconduct and questioned their fitness to serve.
Political Targeting and Fallout
The Herzog Foundation’s reach goes far beyond its online presence. Founded by transportation and construction mogul Stanley Herzog, the organization controls assets exceeding $350 million and actively contributes to conservative and Republican causes.
Between 2015 and 2024, Herzog-linked entities donated over $6.4 million to political campaigns, primarily in Missouri.
Notably, they supported politicians such as Sen. Josh Hawley and former Gov. Eric Greitens. In 2024 alone, over $25,000 in donations from Herzog affiliates went to Attorney General Bailey’s campaign.
Local politics have also felt the impact. St. Joseph Mayor John Josendale and multiple city council members received significant campaign funding from Herzog-connected sources, raising concerns about undue influence.
School Board Members Under Fire
Williams and Lanning describe an orchestrated effort to discredit and intimidate them. They attribute the backlash to their support for inclusive public education and resistance to privatization.
Lanning, who previously led the Community Action Partnership of Greater St. Joseph (CAP St. Joe), believes political pressure tied to the Herzog Foundation cost her the job. In 2024, Missouri lawmakers proposed eliminating CAP’s funding, citing her conduct.
Although the defunding attempt failed, the controversy left lasting damage. Lanning was later terminated from a job at the regional planning commission Mo-Kan, allegedly due to political backlash.
Williams, meanwhile, says the Bartlett Center, where she works, has come under increasing scrutiny—especially its lease agreements with the city—due to the attention drawn by foundation-fueled reports.
Online Attacks and Personal Toll
The online harassment has extended to personal matters, including mockery of medical conditions, false eviction accusations, and derogatory posts targeting their appearance.
Some users even fabricated text exchanges and circulated images accusing Lanning of drinking alcohol during meetings.
Both women say their families are suffering. Their children are more withdrawn, and they now question which friendly neighbors may be behind the toxic online comments.
Despite the reelection of Williams in 2024 with the highest vote share among 10 candidates, the psychological impact has been profound. “I think I’m going to lose my mind,” Williams admitted, reflecting on the unrelenting attacks.
Legal and Ethical Scrutiny
The Missouri Attorney General’s office continues to investigate the school district’s activities, particularly around the April 2024 bond measure.
The Missouri Ethics Commission previously fined the district and Superintendent Gabe Edgar for misusing email during work hours to support the bond.
Still, Williams and Lanning insist there is no conflict of interest. They abstained from votes involving their nonprofit employers, which, according to legal experts like Kansas City attorney Arthur Benson, is standard practice and does not breach ethics rules.
St. Joseph: A City Divided
St. Joseph, home to approximately 71,000 residents, reflects broader national divides. Around 10,000 students attend public schools in the district, many of which receive federal assistance due to high poverty rates.
Williams and Lanning remain firm in their mission to uphold public education for all children, regardless of income or background.
However, their opponents—including figures like Kimberly Dragoo, a former school board candidate pardoned for her involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection—continue to mobilize online campaigns to remove them.
The Facebook groups “We the people 3 schools” and “We the people 3 schools information” regularly post calls for the board members’ removal, amplify foundation talking points, and encourage complaints to local officials.
Continuing to Serve Amid Hostilit
Even as they endure relentless criticism, both women continue to serve their community. Lanning’s current term ends in 2026, and she has yet to decide on seeking reelection.
Williams, on the other hand, remains committed to her role and insists that her passion stems from a deep desire to uplift local schools—not from political ideology.
“I just want all of our kids to be able to get a quality education,” she said.
While the Herzog Foundation maintains that its reporting is factual and objective, Williams and Lanning believe the damage is already done.
The unfolding controversy in St. Joseph reveals how local school boards have become battlegrounds for national ideological conflicts.
For Williams and Lanning, what began as community service has become a fight for integrity and survival against powerful political and religious forces.
As online harassment grows and political pressure intensifies, the question remains: Can elected public officials continue to advocate for equitable education without fear of retaliation from well-funded organizations?