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Property tax protesters press board on alleged missing Medicaid reimbursements; superintendent says claim exceeds district special-education budget
Summary
A public commenter asked the board to investigate a claim that about $43 million in Medicaid/Medicare reimbursements is missing; Superintendent Anna Stubblefield said that figure exceeds the district's total special-education budget and staff will provide accurate information.
During the public-comment period at the Kansas City, Kansas Board of Education meeting on Feb. 27, a community member asked the board to investigate alleged missing Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements and questioned the district—s purchasing-card practices. The superintendent later told the board the $43 million figure exceeds the district—s special-education budget and that staff will continue to provide accurate data to the public.
Scott Harding, who identified himself as a member of Wyandotte County Property Tax Protesters, told the board the group has been tracking spending and asked the board to be transparent about reimbursements and purchasing-card (p-card) limits. Harding said, "there's like $43,000,000 in Medicaid and Medicare missing" and raised questions about p-card hotel charges and subscription purchases recorded as "not for student."
Superintendent Anna Stubblefield addressed that issue later in the meeting during her announcements. She said the district—s total special-education budget last year was $25,100,000 and that the Medicaid reimbursements the district received for prior payments were approximately $3,400,000. "That exceeds our actual total, special education budget," she said, referring to the $43 million claim and noting the figure is larger than the entire special-education budget.
Why it matters Allegations about missing public funds touch on public trust and district financial oversight. The board reiterated that community commenters will be contacted by district leadership for follow-up, and staff said they will share accurate, documented information after review.
What the board and staff said Board President Randy Lopez acknowledged Harding—s request and said staff would follow up. Stubblefield said district staff had prepared handouts to clarify reimbursements and that the district will continue to share accurate information. No formal audit or independent investigation was announced at the meeting.
Ending The board did not take immediate action on Harding—s request at the meeting. Staff committed to providing follow-up information and to speaking with commenters after the meeting, and the superintendent said the documented reimbursement totals do not match the $43 million figure raised in public comment.
