Carthage R-9 Board authorizes committee to raise $5 million for Performing Arts Center

(From the Carthage R-9 School District)

The Carthage R-9 Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, November 18, 2019, 6:00 pm, at Fairview Elementary. Present were Board members Jeff Jones, Lee Elliff Pound, Niki Cloud, Elizabeth Streich, Bill Lasley, and Wayne Jones. Tony Diggs was unable to attend. 

Fairview students Kellen McGuire and Sofia Velazco-Hernandez led the Pledge of Allegiance. Third grade students provided patriotic songs under the direction of vocal music teacher Mrs. Cendy Orr. 

The Board approved the Consent Agenda for the purpose of approving the meeting agenda, minutes of previous meeting, payment of bills, monthly financial reports, employee health insurance plan for calendar year 2020, filing dates for the annual Board election, FY19 audit report, contract Sixth Grade Center Re-Roof Project, and a new and revised policy and regulation. 

Artists of the Month awards were distributed to November winners. 

Mrs. Karla Rush, Carthage Intermediate Center Media Specialist, provided an evaluative report on Library/Media Services, Missouri School Improvement Program Area I-10. A new mobile cart with 15 laptops have been added at Steadley. STEAM and makerspace-type centers have been created in each media center. Makerspace activities include Legos with gears and motors, logic and strategy games, building challenges, Ozobots, and other hands-on activities. 

Mrs. Kandy Frazier, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, provided an evaluative report on Instructional Effectiveness, Missouri School Improvement Program Area I-1 – I-3 which includes state assessments, academic achievement, college and career readiness, performance/placements, as well as attendance and graduation rate. Ms. Beth Hunt, Mark Twain Assistant Principal and District Curriculum Director; Ms. Holley Goodnight, Carthage Technical Center Director; and Mrs. Jana Sawyer, EL Coordinator, provided additional data. 

Mrs. Elliff Pound provided a R-9 Foundation update. The Major Saver Card Campaign was an overall success with sales exceeding last year’s totals. Bricks for the new Tiger Activity Center are currently being sold. Bricks are $100.00 (4’’x 8”) and $500.00 (8”x 8”). 

The Board conducted the annual review of district naming rights menu approving the removal of the naming rights for the Autism Center and Tiger Activity Center while adding the naming rights for a Performing Arts Center and a South Technical Center addition. 

Approval was granted by the Board to create a Performing Arts Fundraising Committee. The committee will seek to raise five million dollars in pledges for a Performing Arts Center on the high school campus before consideration is made to place the Performing Arts Center on a bond election ballot. 

Several new and revised policies and regulations were presented to the Board for review. Final drafts will be considered for adoption at the December 16 regular meeting of the Board. 

Ms. Niki Cloud and Mr. Bill Lasley 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. 

Mrs. Shelley Wilson, Carthage High School Counselor and District Crisis Team Leader, presented information regarding mental health concerns for students and staff. Mental health awareness was one of the top priority areas identified from the Carthage 2020 and Beyond survey. 

Dr. Baker updated the Board regarding the following items: 

 The district Pink Out Day raised $1,490. Staff members donated $5 to wear jeans. The funds will help offset the cost of mammograms financed by McCune-Brooks Healthcare Foundation. 

 Applauded the presentation to the Carthage High School and eighth grade classes by Manny Scott, an original Freedom Writer, whose story is told in part in the 2007 hit movie, Freedom Writers. Manny Scott has energized more than a million leaders, educators, volunteers, and students worldwide with his authentic, inspiring messages of hope. 

 Congratulations to Brayden Cole, Carthage High School Senior for winning the Class 1 100 Breaststroke Championship and setting a state record. 

 The next Carthage 2020 and Beyond meeting will discuss the proposed expansion of the Carthage Technical Center programs and the addition to the South Technical Center. 

 The Carthage High School Theatre and Music Departments will present Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat beginning Thursday, November 21, and will run through Saturday, November 23rd. Tickets can be purchased at showtix4u.com or emailing leee@carthagetigers.org. 

 High school students taking dual credit courses that obtain a silver rating will be offered three hours of elective credit at no cost through MSSU. 

 MSSU has committed to provide tuition free dual credit classes to students receiving free and reduced lunch benefits. 

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: 

Employment 

Certified Staff: (2019-20 school year) 

Lauren Bailey EL Columbian 

Support Staff: 

Jessica Barrett Nurse Junior High 

Maria Figueroa Paraprofessional Fairview 

Ximena Figueroa Paraprofessional Fairview 

Carrie Pruiett Administrative Assistant Transportation 

Substitute Teachers: 

Lynne Burkhardt Substitute Teacher 

Angel Garcia Substitute Teacher 

Substitute Staff: 

Tony Mayfield Substitute Bus Driver 

Helen Taylor Substitute Cook 

Transfer: 

Dylan Jones Technician (Full Time) IT (Formerly: Part Time IT Tech) 

Bryan Shallenburger Special Services Director District (Formerly: Columbian Elementary Principal)