CARTHAGE, Mo. — The Carthage R-9 Board of Education met in regular session on Tuesday, February 17, 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, Mr. Jeff Jones, and Mr. Patrick Scott. Ms. Maria Sanchez was absent. Ms. Niki Cloud led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Board approved the Consent Agenda for the purpose of approving the meeting agenda, minutes of previous open session meetings and work session, payment of bills, district financial report, and student ridership count for 2025-2026.
Jason McVey, Carthage community member spoke to the Board of Education regarding the Beacon Autism Center and Pleasant Valley Elementary School.
Dr. Luke Boyer, Superintendent, provided the Board information regarding the revised policies and regulation for their consideration of adoption.
Mrs. Crystal Brown, Carthage R-9 Foundation Director, provided a Carthage R-9 School Foundation update stating the major saver campaign and trivia night fundraiser were a success. For information regarding the Flanigan speech contest, Boylan art and writing contest, and Raise The Curtain campaign contact Mrs. Brown.
Dr. Holley Goodnight, Assistant Superintendent for Business, provided the Board information regarding the retiree health and Guardian Insurance automatic payment via ACH forms.
The Board approved April 20, 2026, as the date for the annual reorganization of the Board of Education.
Dr. Goodnight presented the school districts acceptable usage policy to the Board.
Dr. Boyer shared Gift of Life – Learn Life Savers information with the Board.
Dr. Boyer and the Board discussed district restructuring options.
Dr. Boyer presented his report to the Board.
Dr. Boyer and the Board amended the 2025-2026 Board of Education meeting schedule with changing the March meeting to Thursday, March 12, 2026.
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), and (6) 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
Alicyn Quick, assistant band director, Carthage High School
Support Hire
Leasa Evans, practical nursing instructor (part time), Carthage Technical Center-North
Briana Camfield, special education paraprofessional, Steadley Elementary
Shelda Dudley, special education paraprofessional (autism), Columbian Elementary
Delanee Chapman, special education paraprofessional, Steadley Elementary
Damaris Sonnier, administrative assistant-bilingual
Lola Wilhelm, operations administrative assistant (part time), Administration
Tiffany Judd, cook, Carthage Intermediate Center
Substitute Hire
Aubrie Fewin
Certified Transfer
Ryan Mankin, special education teacher, Carthage High School
Grant Collier, physical education teacher, Carthage Intermediate Center
Shanna Pugh, instructional facilitator (literacy emphasis)
Support Modification
Kelli Tandy, bus aide
Doug Ritchie, HVAC instructor, Tech Center-North
Christina Bunker, substitute bus driver
Certified Resignation
Courtney Martinie, FACS teacher, Carthage Technical Center/Carthage High School
Melissa Earl, second grade teacher, Steadley Elementary
Roxanne Shrewsberry, special education teacher, Sixth Grade Center
Substitute Resignation
Kyle Reed
Originally appeared on The Turner Report
