ACE teachers fear they won't get paid

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Teachers at the African-Centered College Preparatory Academy are wondering if they'll receive a paycheck after the school sent out an email saying it didn't have the money.

Wednesday ACE Board Chairman Ajamu Webster emailed the school's 76 staff members saying Kansas City Public Schools had not released the funds it currently owed ACE.

"We are sad to report that the payment for this payroll will be delayed until we are able to recoup the funds from KCMSD (Kansas City Missouri School District)," the email said. 

In response KCPS released a statement saying:

"KCPS is verifying the eligibility of the submitted invoices. Currently, KCPS is operating within the 45-day period, by law, to reimburse ACETI for qualified purchases. Payment will be forthcoming."

After multiple phone calls to Webster, 41 Action News learned that the employees will receive their full paycheck Friday afternoon.

A second email from Webster was sent out saying:

"Good news – We will receive payment from the district [Friday] morning. We will have checks ready by 4:00 pm [Friday] afternoon (we need extra time to create paper checks)."

Meanwhile, former ACE high school English teacher Shantelle Tomlin said the uncertainty about whether she'll get paid has her worried about making ends meet.

"I've had to go through some major changes simply because my money is not guaranteed," Tomlin said.  "I can't tell my children that ACE and the school district are having problems, so my check is on hold. My kids will be still be hungry."

To help make ends meet, she's started her own daycare center at her home. 

Meanwhile, ACE still owes its employees two more paychecks.

Webster said he hopes ACE and KCPS do not wait until the last minute to get the money in place for payroll.

Registration has already begun for the next school year. For more information on enrolling your child in KCPS, go to http://bit.ly/MyF6UY