CARTHAGE, Mo. — The Carthage R-9 Board of Education met in regular session on Thursday, March 12, 2026, 6:00 pm, at the Carthage South Technical Center – Community Room. Present were board members Ms. Niki Cloud, Mr. Ryan Collier, Mrs. Lora Phelps, Dr. Mark Westhoff, Ms. Maria Sanchez, and Mr. Patrick Scott. Mr. Jeff Jones arrived at 6:21pm. Ms. Niki Cloud led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The board voted unanimously to move Pleasant Valley Elementary School students to Steadley Elementary School effective at the end of the current school year. The board will seek a contract with the Beacon Autism Center, a regional consortium, to use Pleasant Valley as its new center in Carthage.
Mr. Braden McBride, Head Girls Swimming Coach, and student swimmer, Olivia Manning, shared successes during the swim season.
Mr. Nathan Kelly, Head Girls Wrestling Coach, and student wrestler, Kaylee James, shared successes during the wrestling season.
The Board approved the Consent Agenda for the purpose of approving the meeting agenda, minutes of previous open session meeting, payment of bills, district financial report, and amendments to FY26 budget.
The Board of Education was recognized for its service as part of the Board of Education Appreciation week. Dr. Luke Boyer, Superintendent, presented each board member a certificate of appreciation from the Missouri School Board’s Association.
Mrs. Melissa Stremke and Mr. Jason Worrall of the Carthage Community Teachers Association thanked the Board of Education for its commitment to the children of Carthage.
Mr. Mark Holderbaum, Director of Athletics and Activities, appeared before the Board to review the 2025-2026 Carthage High School winter sports update. Mr. Holderbaum highlighted team performance awards, overall and COC records, and future outlook.
Ms. Maria Sanchez provided a Carthage R-9 School Foundation update highlighting scholarship applications are being reviewed. For information regarding the Flanigan speech contest, Boylan art and writing contest, and Raise The Curtain campaign contact the Carthage R-9 School Foundation.
Mr. Dustin Perkins, Carthage High School Assistant Principal, provided the Board information regarding Carthage Schools game and tournament sponsorships.
Dr. Holley Goodnight, Assistant Superintendent for Business, presented the Board the food supply bids for the 2026-2027 school year.
Dr. Boyer presented the Board the proposed K-12 nonresident tuition rate for the school district and Carthage Technical Center for the 2026-2027 school year.
Dr. Boyer presented his report to the Board.
The Board met in closed session immediately following the regular meeting to discuss legal, personnel, and student matters, in compliance with Section 610.021 (1), (3), (6), and (13) of the Revised Statutes of Missouri. In closed session the Board approved the following personnel actions:
Approved the employment of certified, support, and substitute staff as presented contingent upon receiving a clear criminal record check from the Missouri Highway Patrol and Federal Bureau of Investigation, and a clear check of the Adult Abuse/Neglect Registry maintained by the Missouri Department of Social Services for all employees new to the district:
Certified Hire
Myka Danley, FACS teacher, Carthage High School- Ms. Danley is a Family and Consumer Sciences educator currently serving as a Junior High FACS Teacher. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences Education from Pittsburg State University. She completed her student teaching at the Carthage Technical Center and began her teaching career in 2025.
Ashlyn Gahagan, third grade teacher, Fairview Elementary- Ms. Gahagan is an aspiring educator currently completing a bachelor’s degree in special and general education through Western Governors University. Her professional experience includes serving as a paraprofessional and substitute at Branson Junior High School, working as a personal assistant and caregiver for students with special needs.
Courtney Burnside, special education teacher, Sixth Grade Center- Ms. Burnside holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (1–6) and Special Education (K–12) from Missouri Southern State University. She currently serves as a K–12 Special Education Teacher at the Monett Regional Learning Center in Monett R-1 School District and previously worked as a Behavior Interventionist with Joplin Public Schools, supporting students with behavioral and learning needs.
Support Hire
Meg Shelfer, district operations department secretary, District Office
Caleb Williams, special education paraprofessional, Columbian Elementary
Andy Gaytan, administrative assistant/food service, Welcome Center
Prairie Wagens, school nurse, Fairview Elementary
Substitute Hire
Arturo Navarro Mazariegos
Belva Wagner
Connie Murray
Amber Opel, substitute nurse
Alan Snow
Adrian Bittner
Kyleigh Rolf
Kailey Marin
Misty Osterdyk
Oscar Galindo
Lorelai Myers
Bethany Roy
Certified Transfer
Tammy Davison, sixth grade math teacher, Sixth Grade Center
Freddie Hernandez, sixth grade social studies teacher, Sixth Grade Center
Denise Torres-Pitzer, first grade dual-language (English) teacher, Fairview Elementary
Seina DeCrescenzo, computer science teacher, Sixth Grade Center
Emeli Jiminez, Spanish teacher, Carthage High School
Caitlin DeVilliers, early childhood teacher, Mark Twain Elementary
Shayna Watson, early childhood teacher, Steadley Elementary
Regina Guidie, early childhood teacher, Steadley Elementary
Melissa Stremke, early childhood teacher, Steadley Elementary
Samantha Cline, instructional facilitator, district
Support Modification
James Robinson, bus driver
Substitute Modifications
Keith Golubski, substitute bus driver
Megan Young, counselor, Sixth Grade Center
Austin Grotts, special education teacher, Carthage High School
Jenessa Field, ELA teacher, Carthage High School
Jacalyn Gacke, EL teacher, Carthage Junior High School
Bryan Ora, EL teacher, Carthage Intermediate Center
Megan Wilkes, first grade dual-language (English) teacher, Fairview Elementary
Jaben Parnell, vocal music teacher, Carthage Junior High School
Annie Calhoon, business teacher, Carthage Technical Center
Support Resignation
Kadi Samuels, paraprofessional, Carthage Junior High School
Shelbi Nabors, cook, Carthage Intermediate Center
Shayla Stinson, bus driver
Substitute Resignation
Betsi McCrary
Parts of this originally appeared on The Turner Report
