Carthage R-9 Board receives updates on school safety, COVID funds during work session

(From the Carthage R-9 School District)

The Carthage R-9 Board of Education met in work session on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, 6:00 pm, at the Carthage Junior High School. Present were Board members Niki Cloud, Karen Wilkinson, Nathan Terry, Jeff Jones, Patrick Scott, and Ryan Collier. Bill Lasley was absent. Niki Cloud led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Dr. Baker, Superintendent, provided an update on School Safety with an overview on national school safety issues, a discussion on district safety protocols, and law enforcement safety protocols. Captain Dininger and Sgt. Miller with the Carthage Police Department and Sgt. Teed with the Jasper County Sheriff Department shared their roles in school safety for the Carthage R-9 School District. 

Beth Hunt, Curriculum Director, and Brittany Thompson, Instructional Facilitator (K-12 ELA and K-3 Reading Specialist) and other certified staff presented a call to action plan to improve reading outcomes throughout the Carthage R-9 School District. 

Certified staff attended LETRS Training and have piloted the curriculum at schools in 2020-2022 with the goal of district-wide implementation. 

Jamie Newman and Kassandra Lipscomb, Intermediate Center teachers, presented a Carthage R-9 Transitions plan to create seamless transitions between buildings and into the district for students and staff. Four key contributors for success of the program will be school counselors/administrators, staff, students, and families. The plan is to pilot the program at the Intermediate Center with the goal of district-wide implementation. 

Dr. Angela Holman, CHS Principal and Chase Carlton, Powers Learning Center Administrator, presented information regarding the MO Options and FLEX Program available at the Powers Learning Center. The MO Options is available to seniors and the FLEX Program is available to juniors or seniors. Both alternative learning programs have a selection process and qualifications before opting into the program. 

CDr. Baker, Superintendent, provided an update on COVID related information stating the Tigers Together Back-to-School Plan was approved in the June 2022 board meeting. COVID funds received and allocation of those funds across the district was discussed.