Silex City Clerk Resigns, Says She Felt Forced to Choose Between Children and Job

SILEX, Mo. — Silex City Clerk Kayla McNiff has submitted her resignation, saying a temporary period of family need left her feeling forced to choose between caring for her children and keeping her job.

In a Nov. 2 letter addressed to the mayor and Board of Aldermen and provided to Lincoln CountyWatch, McNiff said she had tried to balance her responsibilities to the city with her children’s appointments and other needs. She wrote that she did not feel she had received the flexibility or understanding necessary to manage both.

“Being made to feel that I must choose between my children and my employment has been incredibly disappointing and heartbreaking,” McNiff wrote.

McNiff described the decision as difficult and said she had taken pride in serving Silex, fulfilling the responsibilities of her office and helping residents.

“It is unfortunate that a temporary time of family need has resulted in a situation where I feel that resigning is my only option,” she wrote.

Her letter did not identify a specific official, describe a particular scheduling request or detail the discussions that preceded her decision. Instead, McNiff focused on what she believed employees should be able to expect when family circumstances become difficult.

“I believe employees should be able to navigate difficult family circumstances with understanding, compassion, and reasonable support,” she wrote. “No parent should feel forced to choose between being there for their children and maintaining their employment.”

McNiff said that although she was saddened by the circumstances, her decision came down to what was best for her family.

“My children will always come first, and I will not apologize for putting their needs above everything else,” she wrote.

She closed by thanking the city for the opportunity to serve and wishing Silex and its residents well.

The letter does not specify an effective resignation date or outline arrangements for a replacement. The material provided to Lincoln CountyWatch did not include a response from the mayor or Board of Aldermen.

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Source: Resignation letter dated Nov. 2, 2026, provided to Lincoln CountyWatch by Kayla McNiff.