(From the Carthage R-9 School District)
The Carthage R-9 Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, May 20, 2024, 6:00 pm, at the Carthage South Technical Center. Present were Board members Jeff Jones, Niki Cloud, Lora Phelps, Ryan Collier, Patrick Scott, Maria Sanchez, and Mark Westhoff. Jeff Jones let the Pledge of Allegiance.
Jean Griffith, Carthage community member spoke to the Board of Education regarding the school district opening all the safe rooms during extreme weather.
Mr. Matt Arnold, Director of Human Resources presented a MSIP 6 Standard Report on Leadership. An overview of the recruitment and onboarding process was discussed along with the district’s health insurance plan and improvement target areas.
Mr. Jones provided a Carthage R-9 School Foundation update stating the 2023-2024 senior academic awards night was a success.
Dr. Holley Goodnight, Assistant Superintendent for Business, provided the Board information regarding the change order request for the Carthage Baseball Stadium. Dr. Goodnight stated eighteen calendar days have be added and cement stabilization will be provided in lieu of select fill with a completed date of September 2, 2024.
Dr. Luke Boyer, Superintendent, provided the Board information regarding the three bank bids the district received for bank depository services. The Board reviewed and discussed services offered by the banks and a decision was made to award Southwest Missouri Bank the contract for bank depository services for the school district.
Dr. Boyer provided the Board information regarding the revised policies and regulations for their review and consideration of adoption at the June 17, 2024 board meeting.
Dr. Goodnight provided the Board information regarding the two storage sheds the school district will offer for sale by sealed bids to the highest bidder.
The Board approved the Consent Agenda for the purpose of approving the meeting agenda, minutes of previous meetings, payment of bills, district financial report, amendments to FY24 budget, revised policy 4210, and grant applications for 2024-2025.
Dr. Boyer presented the 2024-2025 budget review. Key areas discussed were revenues, expenses, fund balances, district debt payments, tax revenue, and assessed valuation. The Board will approve the preliminary budget during the June 17th board meeting with amendments made as the year progresses.
Dr. Boyer updated the Board regarding the following:
- Dr. Tiller reported on academic and programs for secondary, post-secondary and community education.
- 2024 Graduation was a success and a very rewarding ceremony for our graduates, family, and facility.
- Carthage Tech Center is offering a career academy to incoming 7th and 8th graders from June 24-27, 8am – 2:30pm at the Carthage Tech Center South Campus.
- Summer School starts – Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at Carthage High School and Thursday, May 30, 2024 at Columbian, Fairview, Steadley, Intermediate Center, and 6th Grade Center.
- Some great events are happening in our community – Great American Day and Festival Cultural.
- Congratulations to Ryan Palmer on being named the NATA SSATC 2024 district five athletic trainer of the year!
- We are wrapping up the academic school year with the last day of school on Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 1:00pm. It’s been a pleasure working with great educators and appreciate their hard work and dedication.
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
Kayla Collins, 2nd Grade Teacher Columbian Elementary, New Hire- Ms. Collins has been a kindergarten teacher in Wyandotte, OK since 2022. Other teaching stops for her include Miami, and Webb City. Ms. Collins earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Late Elementary Education from Pittsburg State University in 2014.
Kimberly Arnold, 2nd Grade Teacher Fairview Elementary New Hire- Ms. Arnold has been a Title 1 Instructional Assistant for the Webb City School District since 2022. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Missouri Southern State University in 2006 and acquired her Certificate in Elementary Education in 2023.
Jessica Alves, SPED Teacher New Hire Fairview Elementary- Ms. Alves has been working with and teaching special education since 2014. She has worked for the Neosho, Carl Junction, and Pittsburg, KS school districts. Ms. Alves graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education.
Jadyn Gage, Tiger Prep Academy Teacher Fairview Elementary New Hire- Mr. Gage has been student teaching at McKinley Elementary in the Joplin School District. He graduated this May from Missouri Southern State University with a degree in Elementary Education.
Regina Guidie, Kindergarten Teacher Columbian Elementary New Hire- Ms. Guidie has worked for the Carthage School District in the past. For a total of 11 years, Ms. Guidie has either taught 1st or 2nd grade at Steadley Elementary. Ms. Guidie graduated from Emporia State University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education.
Kimberly Hoover, Bright Futures Coordinator- Ms. Hoover worked for the Carthage School District as Program Coordinator of Bright Futures from 2015-2019. Before that, she taught Consumer Science classes at the Carthage Junior High School from 2002-2014. Ms. Hoover earned a Master of Education in Administration Degree from William Woods University.
Olivia Moser, 1st Grade Teacher Steadley Elementary New Hire- Ms. Moser will graduate in December of 2024 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. She has been substitute teaching for the Joplin School District.
Bryan Ora, EL Teacher Carthage Intermediate Center, New Hire- Mr. Ora will graduate from Pittsburg State University with a Master of Science in Teaching with an emphasis on English for Speakers of Other Languages. That anticipated graduation date will be May of 2025. Mr. Ora has been working as a paraprofessional for the Joplin School District since 2023.
Hannah Francis, SPED Teacher Carthage Intermediate Center New Hire- Ms. Francis has worked for the Pleasantville Christian School, along with working for Golden City School District as an elementary teacher. Ms. Francis earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Missouri State University in 2020.
Travis Hitchcock, Public Safety Instructor Carthage Technical Center New Hire- Mr. Hitchcock has been a Trooper (Sergeant) with the Missouri State Highway Patrol since 1993. Mr. Hitchcock’s education in the field include Counterdrug Special Reaction Team, Drug Recognition Expert School, Field Training Officer School, Police Instructor School, Sobriety Checkpoint Supervisor Training, Basic Narcotics Investigation School, and many others.
Katherine Carrell, 4th Grade Teacher Columbian Elementary New Hire- Ms. Carrell graduated from Pittsburg State University this May with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Special Education. She has been working in Pittsburg, KS as a paraprofessional since 2018.
Support Hire
Sheila Bell, Cook Fairview Elementary New Hire
Addis Reyes Hernandez, Cook, Carthage Junior High School New Hire
Bethany Roy, Bethany Cook Columbian Elementary New Hire
Joshua Delcour, Bus Driver Transportation New Hire
Jake Harris, Summer IT Technician IT Department New Hire
Gabe Lambeth, Summer IT Technician IT Department Re-Hire
William Wallace, William Summer IT Technician IT Department Re-Hire
Michael Lanyon, Michael Summer IT Technician IT Department Re-Hire
Keisha Farmer, District Accounts Payable Clerk District Office/Carthage High School New Hire Courtney Franklin, Cook (Summer School) Fairview Elementary New Hire
Douglas “Ryan” Huntley, Director of Transportation Transportation New Hire
Otto Harris, Custodian Carthage High School New Hire
Substitute Hire
Dalton Stafford, Substitute District New Hire
Cynthia Quinly, Substitute District New Hire
Patty Lewis, Bus Driver Transportation New Hire
Caleb Lombard, Bus Driver Transportation New Hire
Jim McDaniel, Custodian District New Hire
Certified Transfer
Sierra Jacques, Computer Science Teacher Sixth Grade Center Transfer
Nicholas Wagner, Kindergarten Teacher Fairview Elementary Transfer
Marcie Stegman, Instructional Coach Columbian Elementary Transfer
Bobbi Murrell, Bobbi Instructional Coach Steadley & Pleasant Valley Elementary Transfer
Kassandra Lipscomb, Instructional Coach Fairview Elementary Transfer
Tammy Dobler, 5th Grade Teacher Carthage Intermediate Center Transfer
Machelle Anderson, SPED Teacher Carthage Junior High School Transfer
Jessica Duncan, 4th Grade Dual-Language Teacher Carthage Intermediate Center Transfer
Ariel Quenneville, 5th Grade Teacher Carthage Intermediate Center Transfer
Support Transfer/Modification
Tennille Benefiel, Admin Assistant (Athletic Office) Carthage High School Transfer
Tristen Strickland, Sped Paraprofessional Carthage Junior High School Transfer
Jarrett Little, HS Accompanist Carthage High School Transfer
Cayden Crahan, Bus Mechanic Assistant Transportation Modification
Charles (Wendell) Silvers, Evening Lead Custodian Carthage High School Modification
Neal Griffith, Custodian Columbian Elementary Transfer
Brandie Williams, Custodian Carthage High School Transfer
James Wilson, Evening Lead Custodian K-6 Buildings Transfer
Cris Laytham, Bus Driver Transportation Modification
Hilary McCaw, Nurse Coordinator District-Wide Modification
Alexis Lawhead, Title 1 Paraprofessional Mark Twain Elementary Transfer
Substitute Modification
Samantha Hall, Bus Driver Transportation Modification
Trish Gatewood, Bus Driver Transportation Modification
Certified Resignation
Jana Thomas, EL Teacher Carthage Intermediate Center Resignation
Jennifer Lowe, SPED Teacher Columbian Elementary Resignation
Caitlin DeVillers, Library Media Specialist Sixth Grade Center Resignation
Jordan Macy, Public Safety Instructor Carthage Technical Center Resignation
Support Retirement
Karol Terry, Cook Sixth Grade Center Retirement
Kelly Wilson, Financial Aid/Reporting Officer Tech Center – North Retirement
Support Resignation
Mattie Blakely, Sped Paraprofessional Carthage Junior High School Resignation
Tesa Anderson, Bus Aide Transportation Resignation
Kimberly Henderson, Transportation Director Transportation Resignation
Jordan Flenniken, HVAC Technician Maintenance Resignation
Robert Atteberry, Custodian Carthage High School Resignation
Emma Hargrave, Sped Paraprofessional CIC Resignation
Christy Hartman, IA Paraprofessional Steadley Elementary Resignation
Emmitt Lee, Custodian Carthage High School Resignation
Barry Brattin, Bus Driver Transportation Resignation
Bryar Willis, Custodian Carthage Intermediate Center Resignation
Sarah Hatley, Sped Paraprofessional Carthage High School Resignation
Nancy Janssen, Title 1 Instructional Assistant Columbian Elementary Resignation
Isabella Sacry, Sped Paraprofessional Mark Twain Elementary Resignation
Trish Gatewood, Sped Paraprofessional Columbian Elementary Resignation
Giana De La Pena, Student Intern District Office Resignation
Chloe Green, Paraprofessional Fairview Elementary Resignation
Substitute Resignation
Elane Wright Cook District Resignation
Logan Walker, Substitute District Resignation
Originally appeared on The Turner Report
For more coverage of southwest Missouri and former Carthage Press Managing Editor Randy Turner’s daily column, sign up for the Turner Report Newsletter by e-mailing [email protected].
