USD 253 Community Relations has issued an official response to concerns developing after the recent hire of former Lee’s Summit superintendent David McGehee as the district’s interim finance and operations officer.
Community Relations Director Lyndel Landgren says Friday’s decision by the USD 253 Board of Education was to approve a contract having ESSDACK supply a “qualified, experienced professional staff member” — in this case, McGehee — to serve the district through June. Landgren echoed board member Jeremy Dorsey’s comments immediately after the meeting that noted McGee’s high recommendations with a strong work ethic and the proper skill set for the job. Landgren also said McGehee had “successfully navigated various district financial challenges” and the district was excited about McGehee’s presence on an interim basis.
Landgren’s response did not address McGehee’s suspension from Lee’s Summit District R-7, concerns about performance, salary and potential conflicts of interest or McGehee’s ultimate resignation from the district in 2016. McGehee was Missouri’s highest-paid public official at the time of his resignation and his separation agreement included a $450,000 total payment. Lee’s Summit board members and district patrons also questioned a relationship McGehee had at the time with a representative of a law firm doing business with the district.
Board member Leslie Seeley also declined comment once concerns about McGehee’s separation from the Lee’s Summit district came to light.
As part of the contract, McGehee essentially serves as the USD 253 assistant superintendent for business operations after the sudden dismissal of longtime district administrator Rob Scheib, who had worked with the district from 2008 until he was placed on paid administrative leave by Superintendent Allison Anderson-Harder this past Wednesday. The district has not said why Scheib was placed on leave, with Dorsey saying that decision was made to protect those involved.
The district’s contract with ESSDACK means USD 253 will pay nearly $60,000 for about 4.5 months of work. ESSDACK is declining comment on its consulting arrangements and that specific process, saying those are not divulged to the public.
