(From the Carthage R-9 School District)
The Carthage R-9 Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, April 15, 2024, 6:00 pm, at the Carthage Sixth Grade Center.
Present were Board members Jeff Jones, Bill Lasley, Niki Cloud, Ryan Collier, and Lora Phelps. Nathan Terry and Patrick Scott were absent.
Carthage Intermediate Center, student advisory committee members, Sophia Boyd and Radyn Roughton led the Pledge of Allegiance. Sixth Grade Center band students provided a cheerful song under the direction of band director, Mr. Sal Prado.
The Board approved the Consent Agenda for the purpose of approving the meeting agenda, minutes of previous meeting, payment of bills, and district financial report.
The Board approved the official results of the April 2, 2024, school board election as certified by the Jasper County Clerk. Maria Sanchez and Mark Westhoff were duly elected Carthage R-9 School District board members for three-year terms of office. The Oath of Office was administered to Maria Sanchez and Mark Westhoff, by Jeff Jones, President.
The Board Officers for 2024-2025 are: President Jeff Jones, Vice President Niki Cloud, Secretary Lora Phelps and Treasurer. Board members volunteered to serve as delegates and committee representatives.
Dr. Matt Huntley, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, Mrs. Amy Cristy, Communication Director, Ms. Beth Hunt, Curriculum Director, and Mr. Don Cox, Title 1 Program Director, presented a MSIP 6 Standard Report on Community & Parent Involvement. Mrs. Cristy shared quantitative results on the communication that is happening with students, parents, and community stakeholders through various techniques and social media platforms. Dr. Huntley reviewed parent, student, and staff survey results.
Mr. Cox shared Title 1 parent involvement programs and events, and increasing access for our families and the community to district services.
Mr. Jones provided a Carthage R-9 School Foundation update stating the Senior Academic Awards night will be held April 29, 2024.
Dr. Goodnight, Assistant Superintendent for Business, provided the Board information regarding the contract for the elevator at David Haffner Stadium. Dr. Goodnight stated Construction Services Group meets all bid requirements and specifications for the project. Dr. Goodnight provided the Board information regarding the two bids the district received for the baseball stadium. A decision was made to decline the bids and have Mr. Dan Hill, Maintenance Director, serve as the general contractor for the project.
Dr. Boyer provided the Board information regarding revised Policy P4210 for their review and consideration of adoption at the May 20, 2024 board meeting.
Dr. Goodnight provided the Board information regarding the two bids the district received for employee health insurance services. The final contract has not been written and will be approved at a special board meeting.
Dr. Goodnight recommended a motion be made that the school board intends to approve the proposed plan with BMI – Benefits Management Incorporated at a special board meeting to be held as soon as possible.
Dr. Boyer updated the Board regarding the following:
- Mrs. Kelly Jacobs reported on academic and extra-curricular activities happening at the Carthage Sixth Grade Center.
- Graduation – Thursday, May 9, 2024.
- Congratulations to the Carthage Intermediate Center on becoming a part of the Promising Practices School. This is an excellent achievement by the administrators and teachers.
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
Makayla Jennings, 3rd Grade Teacher- Ms. Jennings will be graduating from Missouri Southern State University in December 2024. She will be earning a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.
Stasia Fisher, 3rd Grade Teacher Columbian Elementary Rehire
Michelle Pfeifer, Biology Teacher Carthage High School- Ms. Pfeifer has been teaching high school biology in Virginia Beach, VA since 2020. Before that, she taught 7th grade science in that same district for 7 years. Ms. Pfeifer graduated from Old Dominion University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She then graduated with a Master’s Degree in 2007 with an emphasis in Literacy.
Lacie Willard, 2nd Grade Teacher Columbian Elementary New Hire- Ms. Willard most recently taught in the Fort Smith Public School District as a 4th grade teacher. Before that, she taught 2nd grade in the Alton School District. Ms. Willard graduated from the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith with a Bachelor’s Degree in early childhood.
Eymi Perez-Lopez, Spanish Teacher Carthage High School New Hire- Ms. Perez-Lopez is a Carthage R-9 graduate. She attended Crowder College in Neosho and earned an Associate’s Degree. She will graduate from Missouri Southern State University in the near future. Ms. Perez-Lopez is a current substitute for our district.
Dana Oxford, Business Teacher Carthage Technical Center New Hire- Ms. Oxford has been substitute teaching with our district since 2022. She is a graduate of Carthage High School. She will earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Business Education from Missouri Southern State University in December of 2024.
Darrelle Hill, Business Teacher Carthage Technical Center New Hire- Ms. Hill has been a business teacher for the Lamar Career & Technical Center since 2019. Before that time, she taught business for the Miller School District between the years of 2007 and 2019. From 2005-2007, Ms. Hill was a business teacher for the Sheldon School District. Ms. Hill graduated from Missouri Southern State University in 2002 and holds multiple business certifications.
Cheyenne Salazar, Kindergarten Teacher Steadley Elementary New Hire- Ms. Salazar has been teaching for the Pierce City School District since 2021. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Missouri Southern State University in 2021.
Support Hire
Krystal Prado, Sped Paraprofessional Columbian Elementary New Hire
Jordyn Lashmet, Custodian Steadley Elementary New Hire
Substitute Hire
Kayli Jiles, Substitute District New Hire
Tristen Strickland, Substitute District New Hire
Ashley Bradley, Substitute District New Hire
Tara Lyckman, Substitute District New Hire
Elizabeth Bennett, Substitute District Re-Hire
Certified Transfer
Jason Vance, Assistant Principal Columbian/Steadley Elementary Transfer
Lee Ann Fent, Agriculture Teacher Carthage Technical Center Transfer
Elizabeth Hernandez, EL Teacher Columbian Elementary Transfer
Chelsy Hole, 1st Grade Teacher Steadley Elementary Transfer
Aimie Melton, Title 1 Teacher Columbian Elementary Transfer
Morgan Brisbin, 1st Grade Teacher Columbian Elementary Transfer
Amanda Katzfey, SPED Teacher Columbian Elementary Transfer
Laura Ragsdale, 3rd Grade Teacher Steadley Elementary Transfer
Kelly Burrough, SPED Teacher Carthage Junior High School Transfer
Skeeter Wagner, 2nd Grade Teacher Steadley Elementary Transfer
Katie McCartney, 1st Grade Teacher Steadley Elementary Transfer
Robyn McLemore, 3rd Grade Teacher Columbian Elementary Transfer
Halle Miller, Kindergarten Teacher Columbian Elementary Transfer
Hailey Bowman, 3rd Grade Teacher Columbian Elementary Transfer
Support Transfer/Modification
Kiefer Nuse, Custodian Mark Twain Elementary Transfer
Jordan Agan, Bus Driver Transportation Modification
Jarrett Little, Show Choir Accompanist Carthage High School Transfer
Certified Resignation
Abigail Giesey, Kindergarten Teacher Steadley Elementary Resignation
Justin Mauss, Agriculture Teacher Carthage Technical Center Resignation
Mark Stefan, Business Teacher Carthage Technical Center Resignation
Autumn Palmer, Instructional Coach Fairview Elementary Resignation
Drew Haggerman Kindergarten Teacher Fairview Elementary Resignation
Paige Burk, Kindergarten Teacher Columbian Elementary Resignation
Cloie Frencken, SPED Teacher Carthage High School Resignation
Stephanie Rodgers, 5th Grade Teacher Carthage Intermediate Center Resignation
Support Retirement
Terry McGrew, Bus Driver Transportation Retirement
Support Resignation
Yoselyn Garza, Parent As Teachers Early Childhood Resignation
Mary Filbeck, Bus Driver (Full Time) Transportation Resignation
Brent Welton, Bus Driver Transportation Resignation
Wayne Spangler, Sped Paraprofessional Carthage High School Resignation
Substitute Resignation
James Madden, Substitute District Resignation
Holly Mallory, Substitute District Resignation
Tracy Roach, 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].
