Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Carthage R-9 Board accepts six teacher resignations, three retirements


(From the Carthage R-9 School District)

The Carthage R-9 Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, January 16, 2023, 6:00 pm, at Pleasant Valley Elementary. Present were Board members Niki Cloud, Bill Lasley, Karen Wilkinson, Nathan Terry, Jeff Jones, and Ryan Collier. Patrick Scott was absent. Pleasant Valley student Lochlin Chartier led the Pledge of Allegiance. First grade students provided cheerful songs under the direction of vocal music teacher Mrs. Carly Myers. 

The Board approved the Consent Agenda for the purpose of approving the meeting agenda, minutes of previous meetings, payment of bills, district financial report, and accepting the Carpentry class storage shed bid. 








Ms. Beth Hunt, Curriculum Director, presented a MSIP 6 Standard: Curriculum update regarding the overall goals and requirements. An overview of target areas one and two were discussed. 

Mr. Jones provided a Carthage R-9 School Foundation update highlighting it’s scholarship season. 

Mr. Brent Blevins, Stifel Public Finance, reviewed the Carthage R-9 School District debt service level, cash flow analysis, revenue projections, and bond rating. 

The Board did not approve a resolution placing a general obligation bond issue on the April 2023 ballot to construct a Performing Arts Center and baseball field on the high school campus. 

Dr. Baker updated the Board regarding the following: 

• Many great things are happening in our district: Karen Quinonez Hernandez, Junior High Dual Language Math Teacher was featured on KSMU Ozarks Public Radio, Christina Landburg, Intermediate Center 4th Grade Teacher has been named one of Scholastic’s “Teacher Fellow Cohort”, and CHS hosted the National Guard send off on January 4, 2023. 

• April 4, 2023 is Election day, 2022-23 academic calendar has six AMI days, and the 2023- 2024 academic calendar is being developed. 

• February 20, 2023 – no school for students but a professional development day for staff. The next board meeting will be held February 20, 2023, at Steadley Elementary. Jessica McDonald and Deena Murdock will provide the Board Trauma Informed training. 

The Board met in closed session immediately following the regular meeting to discuss legal, personnel, student matters, and evaluative personnel reports in compliance with Section 610.021 (1), (3), (6), and (13) of the Revised Statutes of Missouri. 

In closed session the Board approved the following personnel actions: 

Approved the employment of professional, certified, support, substitute, and extra duty 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: 

Kalissa Taylor, 1st Grade Teacher (2nd Semester) Steadley Elementary

Ms. Taylor just recently graduated from Missouri Southern State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She finished her student teaching here in the Carthage R-9 School District this past month. Her student teaching took place at Pleasant Valley. She will begin teaching 2nd semester at Steadley.

Kayla Fultz, Library Media Specialist - 2023-24 Junior High

Mrs. Fultz has been employed with the Carthage R9 School District since 2009 as an ELA/Gifted Teacher at CJHS. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from MSSU in English Education. Since then, she has earned a Masters and Specialist Degree in Special Education and Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University.








Jean "Mari Beth" Linder, Practical Nursing Coordinator Technical Center

Dr. Mari Beth Linder takes over the Coordinator role after spending the last year and a half as an instructor in the program. Prior to joining CTC, Dr. Linder served as a professor and Director of the Nursing Department at Missouri Southern. She also served as a professor at Crowder College. She has a number of published pieces regarding nursing education and is involved with the Missouri State Board of Nursing accreditation team. She holds a BSN from Pittsburg State, Masters in Nursing Education from the University of Mississippi, and a PhD in Nursing Education from UMKC. 

Emily Reynolds, Practical Nursing Instructor Technical Center

Mrs. Reynolds comes to CTC after serving as an RN for the last five years; most recently working in the Cardiac Clinic at Freeman. During her time as an RN, she has served in a number of different roles and departments in multiple states. She holds a BSN from the University of Missouri. 

Support Hire

LeeAnna Gray,Bus Aide Transportation
Kevin Hinojoza, Admin Assistant Technical Center – North 
Barry Brattin, Bus Transportation








Substitute Hire

Mac Backerman, Substitute Carthage 6th Grade Center/Mark Twain Rehire 
Debbie Morton, Bus Driver Transportation Rehire 
Haylee Austin, Substitute District New Hire 
Emma Nicholas, Substitute District New Hire 
Emily Brown, Substitute District New Hire 
Kimberly Meyer, Substitute District Rehire 

Extra Duty Hire 

Brandy Morris, Teaching During Plan Carthage High School Modification 
Brittany Morris, Teaching During Plan Carthage High School Modification 
Jamie Horton, Teaching During Plan Carthage High School Modification 
Kari Binney, Teaching During Plan Carthage High School Modification 
Austin Grotts, Teaching During Plan Carthage High School Modification 

Certified Retirement 

Renea Mills, Sixth Grade Science PLTW Carthage 6th Grade Center
Leesa Loggains, Media Specialist (Library) Fairview Elementary 
Christine Weeks, Teacher (EPIC) Carthage Intermediate Center/6th Grade Center 

Certified Resignation 

Coeta Ogle, Practical Nursing Coordinator Technical Center-South 
Mitzi Ross, Teacher (4th Grade) Carthage Intermediate Center 
Sarah Evans, 2nd Grade Teacher Columbian Elementary 
Cristina Garcia Gonzalez, Kindergarten Dual-Language Teacher Fairview Elementary  
Kimberly Renae Brownfield, Science Teacher Carthage Junior High 
Kelsey Moore, Theatre/Drama Teacher Carthage High School

Support Retirement/Resignation 

Deborah Morton, Bus Driver Transportation Resignation 
Lauren Eakes Loving, Accompanist Carthage High School Resignation 

Substitute Resignation 

Dena Jones, Cook District  

Extra Duty Resignation 

Jerilyn Sailor, 8th Grade Volleyball Coach Carthage Junior High School

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