CARTHAGE, Mo. — The Carthage R-9 Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, December 16, 2024, 6:00 pm, at Mark Twain Elementary. Present were Board members Mr. Jeff Jones, Ms. Niki Cloud, Mr. Ryan Collier, Mr. Patrick Scott, Ms. Maria Sanchez, and Dr. Mark Westhoff. Mrs. Lora Phelps was absent. Mr. Jeff Jones led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mark Twain Elementary, second grade students presented information on the school’s coffee shop and hot cocoa bar.
The Board approved the Consent Agenda for the purpose of approving the meeting agenda, minutes of previous meeting, payment of bills, district financial report, and revised policies and regulations.
Dr. Gage Tiller, Director of Carthage Technical Center, presented the MSIP 6 Standard: Effective Teaching and Learning – 21st Century Success-Ready Graduates evaluative report to the Board. Jenna Calhoon was selected as the districts’ Missouri School Boards’ Association John T. Belcher Scholarship nominee. Jenna will compete for a regional scholarship; one regional winner will be awarded a state-wide scholarship.
Ms. Maria Sanchez provided a Carthage R-9 School Foundation update highlighting the Trivia Night fundraiser will be held February 8th at Specialty Risk Insurance.
Dr. Luke Boyer, Superintendent, and the Board reviewed and discussed the legislative priorities. Dr. Boyer provided the Board information regarding the December 2024 budget revisions. Dr. Boyer and the Board reviewed and discussed the proposed resolution of the Jasper/Newton County Mitigation plan. Dr. Boyer provided the Board information regarding the new and revised policies and regulations for their review and consideration of adoption at the January 20, 2025 board meeting.
The Board approved a resolution placing an operating levy on the April 8, 2025 ballot. The Board approved a resolution placing a general obligation bond issue on the April 8, 2025 ballot to construct an auditorium, including classroom space on the high school campus. 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), 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.
PN Staff Contract Renewals
Mari Beth Linder, Practical Nursing Coordinator Carthage Tech Center Re-employment for 2025
Jo Ellen Branstetter, Practical Nursing Instructor Carthage Tech Center Re-employment for 2025
Jessica Barrett, Practical Nursing Instructor Carthage Tech Center Re-employment for 2025
Certified Hire
Brett Collier, EL Teacher Carthage Sixth Grade Center New Hire- Mr. Collier has previously taught in the district for 6 years from 2018-2024. He was a history teacher at the Junior High during that time frame. He holds a BSED in History Ed from PSU and a Master of Arts in History from MSU.
Logan Walker, Math Teacher Carthage High School New Hire- Mr. Walker will be graduating from Missouri Southern State University this December with an Education Major. He is currently teaching high school math for the Lamar School District. Mr. Walker was a substitute teacher for the Carthage School District between 2022 and 2024.
Support Hire
William Puryear, Plumber District New Hire
Casey Baldwin, Cook Junior High School New Hire
Yajaira Ordonez, Administrative Assistant District New Hire
Garry Brooks, Evening Custodian Sixth Grade Center New Hire
Bradley Bos, Bus Driver Transportation New Hire
Substitute Hire
Samantha Rusk, Substitute District New Hire
Karley Crowe, Substitute District New Hire
Kenneth Roach, Substitute District New Hire
Jessica Barker, Substitute District New Hire
Kelly Borchgardt, Substitute Cook District New Hire
Certified Transfer
Sydney Peters, Math Teacher Carthage High School Transfer for 2025-2026
Jennifer Moffatt, Math Teacher Carthage High School Transfer for 2025-2026
Brett Collier, Social Studies Teacher Carthage Junior High School Transfer for 2025-2026
Camryn Holloman, PLTW Biomedical Instructor Carthage Tech Center Transfer for 2025-2026
Support Transfer
Jerry Murphey, Head Custodian Tech Center-North Transfer
Adriana Torres Ramos, Administrative Assistant Transportation Transfer
Substitute Modification
Melissa Stremke, AEL Substitute Teacher Tech Center-North Modification
Larry Doty, Substitute District Modification
Certified Resignation
Chris Wilkerson, PLTW Biomedical Teacher Carthage Technical Center Resignation
Julie Tullis, Health Science Teacher Carthage Technical Center Resignation
Paul Kennedy, Computer Science Teacher Carthage Technical Center Resignation
Mary Bader, EL Instructional Coach Welcome Center/District-Wide Resignation
Mark Sponaugle, Career and Adult Accommodations Coordinator Carthage Technical Center Resignation
Support Retirement
Debra Newman, Media Aide Mark Twain/Pleasant Valley Elementary Retirement
Support Resignation
Jessica Neff, Cook Columbian Elementary Resignation
Larry Doty, Sped Paraprofessional Carthage Junior High School Resignation
Jessenia Eaton, Administrative Assistant Transportation Resignation
Cayden Crahan, Bus Mechanic Transportation Resignation
Mary Reddy, Sped Paraprofessional Carthage Junior High School Resignation
Originally appeared on The Turner Report
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