City of St. Joseph, Bartlett Center Board Release Statement on Leadership Changes and Financial Problems

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — The City of St. Joseph and the Bartlett Center board have released a joint statement addressing recent changes at the organization, its financial difficulties and efforts to keep childcare services operating at the Horace Mann Community Center.

The statement provides new details about meetings involving the Bartlett Center board, the organization's director and City officials.

According to the statement, the City did not participate in the Bartlett Center board's decision regarding its director and had no prior knowledge of the board meeting or the issues that would be discussed.

City says it was not involved in board's decision

The statement says Bartlett Center board members met on Sept. 17.

According to the City and Bartlett Center board, the organization's director offered her resignation during that meeting.

The board also voted to request a meeting with City Manager Mike Schumacher to discuss the possibility of finding a new provider to take over services at the Bartlett Center.

The City says no City representatives attended the Sept. 17 meeting and City leadership was not aware of the meeting or the topics being discussed beforehand.

Bartlett Center board members then met with City officials on Sept. 18 to discuss avoiding an interruption in childcare services and a possible transition of the program.

According to the statement, City leadership was asked during that meeting whether the City wanted the director to assist with the transition. The City declined.

The statement says the director's employment status was not discussed between City officials and Bartlett Center board members.

“I can speak to what was discussed when we met, and the resignation of the Bartlett Center’s executive director was not requested,” Schumacher said in the statement. “The City has no role in employment decisions between an employer and its employees.”

Schumacher also said City officials were not present for conversations between the director and the Bartlett Center board and therefore could not speak to what the director was told.

City details Bartlett Center's unpaid lease balance

The statement also provides additional information about the Bartlett Center's financial situation.

The City owns the Horace Mann Community Center at 409 S. 18th Street, where the Bartlett Center operates its childcare center.

According to the City, the Bartlett Center currently leases the building for $2,905.12 per month. The previous monthly rate was $2,806.28.

The City says it also carries insurance on the building, pays utilities and performs significant maintenance on the property.

According to the statement, City officials have been aware of financial problems at the Bartlett Center for more than a year.

The City says officials met with the organization's director on Dec. 22, 2025, following missed lease payments dating back to August 2025.

A formal notice of default was issued Jan. 12 after the City said the amount owed had reached $14,034.40.

City officials later met with the director and board members on Jan. 20.

According to the statement, the Bartlett Center provided an $8,420.64 payment covering lease payments for December 2025 and January and February 2026.

The organization also presented a plan to pay $4,912.03 per month from March through June to cover its regular lease payments along with delinquent amounts from September, October and November 2025.

The City says all four of those payments were made.

However, according to the statement, the Bartlett Center did not make its July, August or September 2026 lease payments.

The City says the Bartlett Center currently owes $8,715.40 in lease fees.

The statement says the City acknowledged during the Sept. 18 meeting that collecting the balance could be difficult if the organization dissolves.

The City also stated that it did not offer to waive the debt in exchange for the removal of any Bartlett Center employee.

Statement addresses federal grant reimbursements

The joint statement also addresses Community Development Block Grant funding provided to the Bartlett Center through the City.

The federal CDBG program provides money through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for eligible programs and services.

According to the City's statement, agencies receiving the funding must submit reimbursement requests and supporting documentation before funds can be released.

The City says it asked the Bartlett Center's director to submit reimbursement requests monthly.

According to the statement, some requests were submitted incorrectly or late, resulting in delays in the release of CDBG funds.

The statement also notes that CDBG funding can be used for certain eligible expenses, including salaries and services, but cannot be used to pay rent.

Bartlett Center board says organization plans to dissolve

The statement confirms that the Bartlett Center board plans to dissolve the organization's nonprofit status.

Bartlett Center President Jayne Roberts said the organization has struggled financially for an extended period.

“While it is a heartbreaking decision to dissolve the Bartlett Center’s nonprofit status, it is our primary responsibility to ensure care is continued for our children, their parents, the staff and the community,” Roberts said.

The City and Bartlett Center board say they are now working with other community partners to maintain childcare services.

According to the statement, the goal is for a temporary provider to take over services until the City can conduct a formal request-for-proposal process to identify a permanent childcare provider for the Horace Mann building.

The City and Bartlett Center board say their focus is on minimizing disruptions for families currently using the childcare program. READ THE FULL CITIES STATMENT HERE