CARTHAGE, Mo. — The Carthage R-9 Board of Education met in regular session Monday, Sept. 21, at the Carthage South Technical Center Community Room, where members received updates on several district programs and approved a number of personnel actions.
The board approved its consent agenda, including the meeting agenda, minutes from the previous tax rate hearing and open session meeting, payment of bills and the district financial report.
Matt Arnold, director of Human Resources, presented information related to CSIP Priority 2: Recruitment and Retention of High-Quality Staff.
Natalie Cowley, director of Language Services, provided an update on the district’s dual-language program, while Jeff Jones presented an update from the Carthage R-9 School Foundation.
Assistant Superintendent for Business Holley Goodnight provided updates on the KE Baker remodel and the renewal of the district’s cyber insurance. She also presented information regarding the purchase of a 2025 Micro Bird 35-passenger school bus.
Superintendent Luke Boyer and board members discussed selecting an additional delegate to the Carthage R-9 Foundation Board, and Boyer presented his regular superintendent’s report.
The board then met in closed session to discuss legal, personnel and student matters in accordance with Missouri Revised Statutes Section 610.021.
The board approved the following personnel actions. Employment approvals for new district employees were contingent upon required criminal background and Adult Abuse/Neglect Registry checks.
Certified hire
Jana Sawyer, dual-language teacher, Carthage Junior High School. Sawyer is returning to the district after retiring following 32 years of service as a teacher and director of Language Services.
Support hires
Andrew Eby, bus driver, Transportation
Joy Collins, special education paraprofessional, Early Childhood Center
Makayla Hylton, special education paraprofessional, Steadley Elementary
Katie Booth, special education paraprofessional, Early Childhood Center
Remington Tatum, student intern, IT Department
Denis Velasquez Perez, student intern, Bright Futures
David Pastor Hernandez, student intern, IT Department
Martha Ramirez, custodian, Carthage High School
Lucas FlynBear, student intern, Food Service
Guadalupe Solis, special education paraprofessional (speech support), Columbian Elementary
Dalila Garcia, evening custodian, Carthage High School
Tony Mayfield, bus driver, Transportation
Substitute hires
Calvin Gazaway, substitute teacher
Ana Ramos De La Pena, substitute bus aide
Angela Smith, substitute teacher
Daniel Lazure, substitute teacher
Linda Boyd, substitute teacher
Avery Dillard, substitute teacher
Joyce Hale, substitute cook
Katrina Krtek, substitute teacher
Transfers and position modifications
Lucy Hamilton, kindergarten teacher, Columbian Elementary
Noel Davison, special education paraprofessional, Sixth Grade Center
Brooklyn Smith, special education paraprofessional, Carthage High School
Eliot Ballard, behavior interventionist, Steadley Elementary
Dakota Sisseck, special education paraprofessional, Columbian Elementary
Rena Jaggars, cook, Carthage Intermediate Center
Trisha Pearce, bus driver, Transportation
April Greer, substitute bus driver, Transportation
The board also approved the following resignations and retirement:
Certified
Maria Raquel Aguilar, dual-language teacher, Carthage Junior High School, resignation
Rebecca Jones, social studies teacher, Carthage High School, retirement
Support
Mayra Munoz, special education paraprofessional, Early Childhood Center
Amelia Etcheson, cook, Carthage High School
John Carlton, seasonal maintenance, district
Breckin Cline, seasonal custodian, district
Jacob Tupper, seasonal custodian, district
Alex Mejia, seasonal custodian, district
Jonathan Brooks, seasonal custodian, district
Zane Browning, seasonal custodian, district
Dylan Pugh, seasonal maintenance, district
Colt Pugh, seasonal custodian, district
Luke O’Neal, seasonal custodian, district
Carson Kinder, seasonal custodian, district
Silas Laytham, seasonal custodian, district
Thomas Banta, seasonal custodian, district
Jakob McPheeters, seasonal custodian, district
Dakota Borchgardt, seasonal custodian, district
Donnetta Rivera, cook, Carthage High School
Kendra Sexton, cook, Carthage Junior High School
Brittany Connelly, special education paraprofessional, Steadley Elementary
John LeMasters, bus driver, Transportation
April Knell, Title 1 instructional assistant, Steadley Elementary
Substitutes
Amber Opel, substitute nurse
Jackie Brust, substitute custodian
David Butler, substitute custodian
Bob Lawrence, substitute custodian
Richard Pendleton, substitute custodian
Harold Still, substitute custodian
Kacey Dragoo, substitute nurse
Lacey Stephens, substitute nurse
Christina Busker, substitute bus driver
Lauren Gower, substitute bus aide
Trish Pearce, substitute teacher
Trish Pearce, substitute bus driver
