SHOCK!!! KANSAS CITY SCHOOL BOARD LEADER BLASTS JACKSON COUNTY EXEC FRANK WHITE 'FAILURE OF LEADERSHIP' AND 'DISGUSTING' PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT CRISIS!!!

School Board conversations don't often merit much citywide discussion but last night tough talk about an ongoing hot mess sent shockwaves sent through Kansas City's political scene which mostly went unnoticed by local MSM newsies.

The big picture is hard to ignore no matter how MSM tries . . .

KANSAS CITY LATINO LEADERSHIP ESCALATES THE ALL OUT POLITICAL WAR AGAINST JACKSON COUNTY EXEC FRANK WHITE SPARKED BY PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT OUTRAGE!!!

Here's the stich and a summary of the KCPS ruckus . . .

The board faced some pressure from area residents to lower the rate in response to Jackson County's recent property appraisals, which caused a number of property values to soar. Next year, area property owners are slated to pay an average of 23% more in school taxes. The school district levy accounts for about half of the total property tax bill. The district originally had planned on a 17% increase in expected revenue.

During the vote, several board members took aim at the assessment process.

KCPS Board of Directors Treasurer Manny Abarca specifically called out County Executive Frank White Jr. and his "failure of leadership."To pit neighbors against their school district is completely and utterly disgusting," Abarca said.

Now let's unpack it:

Fact is, most suburban newsies don't understand or would like to ignore the fact that "people of color" don't always agree.

Here's why last night's tense discussion is important because none of the suburban "journalists" are able to explain it . . .

The Latino community on the Westside & Northeast have been impacted far more by property tax assessment increases and their neighborhoods were seemingly targeted by a process that did not follow rules for physical inspections. The impact will be felt in the 3rd district also but subsidized housing and apartment dwellers simply don't feel the direct hit that many KCMO lower-income Latino neighborhoods confront . . . Note that working-class whites living in places like Waldo, Midtown and Wesport are also suffering the same fate.

Cultural note: IT TAKES A LOT for a Latino politico to call out an African-American leader in public, on the record and for the media. This almost never happens. Especially in the Midwest where Latino population numbers aren't as statistically significant as other parts of the nation; Latino elected leaders in local Hispanic communities are often more reserved, thoughtful and considered in their remarks. Mr. Abarca worked for Congressman Cleaver so in every sense of the word he has respect for the Democratic Party establishment and how politics works in this town.

However, consider that the Jackson County Prosecutor is in an all out war of words with Exec Frank White, the Legislature is united against him, a litany neighborhood leaders and residents are fuming mad over tax fear and now establishment politicos are taking on the Courthouse Administration.

Without question, Jackson County Exec Frank White is no longer a beloved former baseball player but merely an elected official currently under siege.

Check the links:

KC Biz Journal: KCPS approves tax levy, expects to see boost in revenue

KSHB: Kansas City school board votes to maintain current tax levy rate

Fox4: Residents face huge tax increase after KC School Board votes to keep all $7M from Jackson County property hike

Developing . . .