CARTHAGE, Mo. — The Carthage R-9 Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, November 18, 2024, 6:00 pm, at Fairview Elementary. Present were Board members Mr. Jeff Jones, Ms. Niki Cloud, Mrs. Lora Phelps, Mr. Ryan Collier, Mr. Patrick Scott, Ms. Maria Sanchez, and Dr. Mark Westhoff. Mr. Jeff Jones led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Fairview Elementary, third grade students presented a writing piece they have completed this year.
The Board approved the Consent Agenda for the purpose of approving the meeting agenda, minutes of previous meetings, payment of bills, approve district financial report, amendments to FY25 budget, change order request #1 for Carthage stadium elevator, and establish filing dates for the annual board of education election.
Rebecca Baker, KPM CPA’s, reviewed the FY24 audit report.
Dr. Luke Boyer, Superintendent, provided the Board information regarding the revised policies and regulations for their review and consideration of adoption at the December 16, 2024 board meeting. Dr. Boyer and the Board discussed a resolution for future ballot issues. Dr. Boyer provided legislative priorities to the Board. Ms. Sanchez and Dr. Westhoff volunteered to serve on the John T. Belcher Scholarship Selection Committee. The committee will select a nominee to represent the district in this competitive scholarship application process.
Shelley Wilson, School Counselor & K-12 Counseling Department Chair and Jessica McDonald, District Counseling Specialist, presented the MSIP 6 Standard: Counseling and Advisement evaluative report to the Board. Dr. Boyer presented the MSIP 6 Standard: Finances evaluative report to the Board Mr. Mark Holderbaum, Director of Athletics and Activities, and Dr. Angela Holman, High School Principal, appeared before the Board to review the 2024 Carthage High School fall sports.
Mrs. Crystal Brown provided a Carthage R-9 School Foundation update.
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:
Support Hire
Ashley Woodward, Cook Carthage Intermediate Center New Hire
Marcus Van Dorn, Choir Accompanist (part time) Carthage Junior High School New Hire
Kaitlyn Wright, Cook Carthage High School New Hire
Allison Hill, Sped Paraprofessional Columbian Elementary New Hire
Amber Vaughan, Cook Fairview Elementary New Hire
Kayden Baucom, Behavior Specialist Fairview Elementary New Hire
Substitute Hire
Olivia Osborn, Substitute District New Hire
Stacey Bolles, Substitute Cook District New Hire
Elizabeth Arthur, Substitute District Re-Hire
Lizbeth Yost, Substitute District New Hire
Heather Justice, Substitute District Re-Hire
Andrew Albrecht, Substitute Bus Driver Transportation New Hire
Shalanna Ducote, Substitute District Re-Hire
Jamie Aggus, Substitute Cook District New Hire
Robert Bastin, Substitute District Re-Hire
Certified Modification
Bobbi Castor, Bobbi Behavior Teacher Columbian Elementary Modification
Support Transfer
James Wilson, Evening Custodian Pleasant Valley/Powers Learning Center Transfer
Vilma Rissman, Bus Aide Transportation Transfer
Support Modification
Breanna Fletcher, Cook Columbian Elementary Modification
Substitute Modification
John Seal, Substitute District Modification
Certified Retirement
Karen Holland, Art Teacher Carthage Intermediate Center Retirement
Carole Wade, Math Teacher Carthage High School Retirement
Zoie Russell, Math Teacher Carthage High School Retirement
Certified Resignation
Laura Heigle, Language Arts Teacher Carthage Junior High School Resignation
Support Resignation
Courtney Franklin, Cook Sixth Grade Center Resignation
Lori Harris, Cook Carthage Intermediate Center Resignation
Barry Brattin, Bus Aide Transportation Resignation
Belva Wagner, Title 1 Paraprofessional Pleasant Valley Elementary Resignation
Joseph Spencer, Custodian Columbian Elementary Resignation
Jennifer Miller, Cook Steadley Elementary Resignation