CARTHAGE, Mo. — The Carthage R-9 Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, October 21, 2024, 6:00 pm, at Columbian Elementary. Present were Board members Mr. Jeff Jones, Mr. Ryan Collier, Mr. Patrick Scott, Ms. Maria Sanchez, and Dr. Mark Westhoff. Mrs. Lora Phelps arrived after the meeting started. Ms. Niki Cloud was absent.
Mr. Jeff Jones led the Pledge of Allegiance. Columbian Elementary, third grade students presented on what they have learned about Missouri Geography.
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, and student ridership count and bus routes for 2024-2025.
Dr. Matt Huntley, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, and Ms. Beth Hunt, Curriculum Director, presented the MSIP 6 Standard report regarding professional development.
Ms. Maria Sanchez provided a Carthage R-9 School Foundation update. The Major Saver card campaign has kicked off and will end on October 23, 2024.
Ms. Becky Esrock and Dr. Tony Rossetti, Stifel Public Finance, provided the Carthage R-9 School District debt service overview.
Dr. Luke Boyer, Superintendent, provided ballot information to the board. Dr. Boyer provided information regarding the FEMA Notice of Interest for a FEMA shelter. Dr. Boyer discussed legislative priorities with 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:
Certified Hire
Gladness (Gracie) Wood, EL Teacher Carthage Junior High School New Hire
Ms. Wood graduated from Drury University with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Writing in May, 2024.
Jazuri Lopez, French Teacher Carthage High School New Hire
Ms. Lopez is a graduate of Carthage High School and will graduate from Missouri Southern State University in December of 2024 after completing her student teaching at CHS this Fall.
Support Hire
Abigail Rogers, Student Intern/Teacher Aide Carthage High School New Hire
Mary Guile, Cook Columbian Elementary Transfer
Donna Clarenson, Cook Carthage High School New Hire
Rylee Stephens, Speech Paraprofessional Fairview Elementary New Hire
Madison Helm, Sped Paraprofessional Fairview Elementary New Hire
Christopher Barker, IT Technician IT Department New Hire
Jennifer Miller, Cook Steadley Elementary New Hire
Justin Strait, Bus Driver Transportation New Hire
Jason Clark, Custodian Carthage Intermediate Center New Hire
Marissa Bedsted, Admin Assistant Tech Center-North New Hire
Luisa Diaz, Custodian Carthage High School New Hire
Madison Haslip, Sped Paraprofessional Carthage Intermediate Center Re-Hire
Nancy Gonzalez, Food Service Student Intern Carthage High School New Hire
April Hoyt, Speech Language Pathology Assistant Carthage Intermediate Center New Hire
Dylan Jones, Network Administrator IT Department New Hire
Substitute Hire
Andrew Raney, Substitute District New Hire
Kristin King, Substitute District New Hire
Jazuri Lopez, Substitute District New Hire
Madelyn Gastel, Substitute District Re-Hire
Gwen Utter, Substitute District New Hire
Andrew O’Dell, Substitute District New Hire
Jennifer Pointer, Substitute District New Hire
Galen Davis, Substitute Bus Driver Transportation New Hire
Alex Baker, Substitute District New Hire
Travis Myers, Substitute Cook District New Hire
Sheresa Wendelton, Substitute District Transfer
Certified Retirement
Jennifer Starchman, 2nd Grade Teacher Steadley Elementary Retirement
Diana Calhoon, Math Teacher Carthage High School Retirement
Certified Resignation
Emily Coonce, EL Teacher Carthage Junior High School Resignation
Emily Turley, Social Studies Teacher Carthage Junior High School Resignation
Support Resignation
Patty Lewis, Bus Driver Transportation Resignation
Alice-Jean Mosher, Cook Carthage High School Resignation
Samantha Hall, Bus Driver/Cook Transportation/Carthage High School Resignation
Amanda Witt, Admin Assistant Tech Center – North Resignation
Kaitlyn Altic, Sped Paraprofessional Columbian Elementary Resignation
Sarah Thrasher, Sped Paraprofessional Columbian Elementary Resignation
Steven Goodman, Bus Driver Transportation Resignation
Amber Potter, Cook Columbian Elementary Resignation
Lindsey Pershall, Cook Carthage Intermediate Center Resignation
Melissa Hardcastle, Cook Carthage Intermediate Center Resignation
William Dunnic, Network Administrator IT Department Resignation
Eric Maggard, Eric Custodian Pleasant Valley Elementary Resignation
Substitute Resignation
Kimberly McBride, Substitute Driver Transportation Resignation
Teresa Konrady, Substitute District Resignation
Kaitlyn Brooks, Substitute Cook District Resignation
Michael Dietz, Substitute District Resignation
Tara Lyckman, Substitute District Resignation
