Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Carthage R-9 Board hires 10 certified employees, accepts five teacher resignations


The Carthage R-9 Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, February 20, 2023, 6:00 pm, at Steadley Elementary. Present were Board members Niki Cloud, Karen Wilkinson, Nathan Terry, Jeff Jones, Patrick Scott, and Ryan Collier. Bill Lasley attended via Zoom. 

Steadley Elementary student Sadie Bills led the Pledge of Allegiance. First grade students provided cheerful songs under the direction of vocal music teacher Ms. Lydia Burnett. 








The Board approved the Consent Agenda for the purpose of approving the meeting agenda, minutes of previous meetings, payment of bills, district financial report, date for board reorganizational meeting, 2023-2024 academic calendar, and student ridership count for 2022-2023. 

The Board of Education was recognized for its service as part of the upcoming Board of Education Appreciation Week. Dr. Baker presented each board member a certificate of appreciation from the Missouri School Boards’ Association. Angie Haas, President of the Carthage Community Teachers’ Association, and Libby Collier, President of the Carthage National Education Association thanked the Board of Education for its commitment to the children of Carthage. Donations from CCTA and CNEA were made to the Carthage R-9 School Foundation to honor the Board for their many sacrifices. 

Deena Murdock and Jessica McDonald, District Counseling Specialists, presented Trauma Informed Training to the Board of Education. The summary of the Missouri model for Trauma Informed Care was discussed along with the need for being a trauma informed school district. 

Mr. Bryan Shallenburger, Director of Special Services, presented a MSIP 6 Standard Report on Special Services. Providing quality IEP meetings, writing better goals for students, and reducing the number of waived IEP evaluations so students are receiving the appropriate services have improved. The district received good results from our Tiered Monitoring Desk Review regarding compliance with the IDEA from DESE. Our special education numbers continue to hold at 11% while seeing an increase in the number of 504 Plans for students with a disability. IEP goals and iReady data are used to monitor student growth and progress. Our goal is to both support and challenge students. 

Mr. Jones provided a Carthage R-9 School Foundation update highlighting it is scholarship and contest season and encouraged students to apply. 

Dr. Baker spoke with the board regarding selecting a date for a community meeting to discuss the upcoming April 4, 2023, bond issue and how the budget will be affected. The meeting will take place on March 6, 2023, 6:30pm in the Carthage R-9 Auditorium. 

Dr. Baker introduced Abi Almandinger, Carthage Parks and Recreation Director, and Greg Dagnan, Carthage City Administrator to the Board. Mrs. Almandinger and Mr. Dagnan provided information regarding Carl Lewton Stadium. Dr. Baker stated CHS baseball practices will be held at Carl Lewton Stadium but games will be at Joe Becker Stadium and Wendell Redden Stadium in Joplin, Missouri. 

Dr. Baker presented renderings for the PAC and baseball field, naming right opportunities, and a FAQ that will be posted on the district website. 

Dr. Baker updated the Board regarding the following:

 Renae Brownfield, Carthage Junior High Science Teacher, won a $12,000 MO Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM innovation contest which includes Samsung products and resources to use in the classroom. 







• CHS Career Fair was held on February 17, 2023 with over 70 tables and presenters from colleges/universities, military, local law enforcement, local fire department, and local businesses. Mock interviews were conducted, career conversations and connections were made all in a professional atmosphere. 

• Carthage R-9 social media posts have promoted recent successes for swimmers, Royal Tigerettes, Speech and Debate, Super Staff Saturday, February is CTE month, and Kate Wagner – Vietnam War Protest: Acts of Informal Debate in the Missouri State History Day Competition. 

• Golden Key Winners will be recognized at the Carthage Chamber of Commerce Banquet on February 23, 2023. Heather McConnell (Pre-K – 3), Jeni Barlow (4-6), Jessica Marquez (7-8), and Christy Philpot (9-12). 

• Upcoming important dates include: Kindergarten Round-up March 2-3, Statewide Tornado Drill Tuesday, March 7, at 10:00am, March board meeting Thursday, March 16, at Intermediate Center, and Spring Break March 20-25. 

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

Bonnie Schaeffer, Assistant Director of Adult Education Tech Center - North Modification 

Mrs. Schaeffer has served as the AEL Coordinator since 2018-2019. Prior to joining CTC, she served as the Principal of St. Ann’s in Carthage. 

During her time with CTC she has also helped oversee workforce development and community education trainings. In an effort to better align for the future of CTC and provide cohesive program oversight, she has been named Assistant Director of Adult Education. She will now help oversee all adult programming at CTC

Lauren Hill, AEL Coordinator Tech Center - North Modification 

Ms. Hill has served as a full-time instructor and advisor for AEL. During that time, she has been involved in the program management alongside Mrs. Schaeffer by overseeing student progress and testing. This transition will help ease the burden on Mrs. Schaeffer as she has taken on more responsibility.

Kirk Bromley, Assistant Principal Steadley and Columbian Elementary New Hire 

Mr. Bromley has been serving the Jasper R-5 School District since 2019 in the role of Elementary Principal and Transportation Director. Mr. Bromley earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History Education in 2011, earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership in 2016 and also completed a Specialist Degree in Superintendency from Northwest Missouri State in 2022.

Brandon Hall, Theatre/Drama Teacher Carthage High School New Hire 

Mr. Hall has been working for Diamond School District teaching English at the high school since August of 2021. Mr. Hall graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech and Theatre from Missouri Southern State University in May of 2022. 

Andrew Searcy, Broadcasting Teacher Tech Center - South New Hire 

Searcy, Andrew, Broadcasting Teacher, Carthage Technical Center – South – Mr. Searcy has been working for Nexstar Media Group (KSNF-TV) since 2003. His roles included News Anchor, Sports Director and Assistant News Director. Mr. Searcy earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications from Missouri Southern State University in 2001. 

Camryn Holloman, Science Teacher Carthage High School New Hire 

Ms. Holloman will graduate with a Biology Degree from the University of Central Missouri in May of 2023. She has been working as a long term substitute in the Biology Department for Lone Jack School District. 

Celesta Champagne, Science Teacher Carthage High School New Hire 

Mrs. Champagne graduated from Missouri Southern State University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Education-Biology, and earned a Master's Degree from Pittsburg State University in 2004. She began teaching for the Carthage High School in 1997. From 1997 to 2005, she taught Integrated Science, Applied Biology and Chemistry, Biology, AP Biology as well as Study Skills until she decided to stay home with her family. She returned in November of 2022 to teach Biology at CH

Sydney Peters, Chemistry Teacher Carthage High School New Hire 

Ms. Peters is completing her student teaching at the Carthage High School this semester. Previously, she worked as the Evening Administrative Assistant at the Carthage Tech Center. Ms. Peters will graduate from Missouri Southern State University in May of 2023.

Liz Benbow, Library Media Specialist Fairview Elementary Modification 

Ms. Benbow has been working for the Carthage R-9 School District since August of 2013. Her current position is teaching 3rd grade at Fairview Elementary. 

Shane Lankford, Math Teacher Sixth Grade Center Modification 

Mr. Lankford has been working for the Carthage R-9 School District since August of 2008. His current position is teaching 5th grade at the Carthage Intermediate Center. 

Support Hire

Michelle Hall, Practical Nursing Instructor (Part Time) Tech Center - North New Hire 
Wayne Jones, Bus Driver Transportation Modification 
Karina Paul, Cook (3.5 Hours) Fairview Elementary New Hire 
Kelly Wilson, Financial Aid and Reporting Officer Tech Center - North Modification 
Zachary Stand, SPED Paraprofessional Carthage Intermediate Center New Hire 








Substitute Hire 
Jean Griffith, Substitute District New Hire 
Caitlin Barker, Substitute District New Hire 
Stormi Hughes, Substitute District New Hire 
Alexandra Jones, Substitute District New Hire 
Dawn Phillips, Substitute District New Hire 
Gracie Fagg, Substitute District New Hire 
Chelsea Rosedale, Substitute District New Hire 
Colton Sprenkle, Substitute District New Hire 
Kyle Fewin, Bus Driver Transportation New Hire 
Sydney Peters, Substitute District Re-Hire 
Basilia Hernandez, Cook District New Hire 
Antoinette Diggs, Substitute District New Hire 
Madilynn Bader, Substitute District New Hire 
Michael Richardson, Substitute District New Hire 
Paula Allen, Substitute District New Hire 
Holly Mallory, Substitute District New Hire 
Dallas Scavezze, Substitute District New Hire 
Sheri Madill, Sheri Substitute District New Hire 
Brandon Cox, Brandon Bus Driver Transportation New Hire 

Extra Duty Hire 
Brittiany Nixon, TPA Curriculum Coordinator Modification 
Jeff Marrs, Pre Apprentice Training Tech Center - North Modification 
Amie Riley, Pre Apprentice Training Tech Center - North Modification 
Stacey Stark, Pre Apprentice Training Tech Center - North Modification 
Julie Tullis, Pre Apprentice Training Tech Center - North Modification 
Ali Green, Pre Apprentice Training Tech Center - North Modification 
Bonnie Schaeffer, Pre Apprentice Training Tech Center - North Modification 
Flint Whitehead, Pre Apprentice Training Tech Center - North Modification 
Samantha Esposito, Pre Apprentice Training Tech Center - North Modification 
Brett Collier, Jr. High Head Wrestling Coach Carthage Junior High School Modification 
Elizabeth Collier, 8th Grade Head Volleyball Coach Carthage Junior High School Modification 
Brandon Hall, Drama Head Sponsor Carthage High School New Hire 
Brandon Hall, CHS Play Director Carthage High School New Hire 

Certified Resignation

Austin Grotts, Science Teacher Carthage High School Resignation 
Anna Cox, Anna Speech Language Pathologist Carthage Intermediate Center Resignation 
Sarah Glidewell, EL Teacher Fairview Elementary Resignation 
Calvin Gazaway, Music Teacher Columbian and 6th Grade Center Resignation 
Monica Curl, Business and Marketing Teacher Tech Center - North Resignation 

Support Resignation 

Brice Sloniker, Custodian 6th Grade Center Resignation 
Blake Zapletal, Blake AEL Instructor (Part Time) Tech Center - North Resignation 
Amber Grantham, Cook (5.5 hours) Carthage High School Resignation 
Jennifer Russow, Bus Aide Transportation Resignation 

Extra Duty Resignation 

Alyx Hoberecht, 7th and 8th Grade Cheerleading Coach Carthage Junior High School Resignation Quincy Jones, HS Assistant Football Coach Carthage High School Resignation 
Zach Canfield, Jr High Head Wrestling coach Carthage Junior High School Resignation 
Logan Wilson, Jr High Head Football Coach Carthage Junior High School Resignation

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