Friday, April 21, 2023

Carthage R-9 Board hires six teachers, accepts three resignations


(From Carthage R-9 School District)

The Carthage R-9 Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, April 17, 2023, 6:00 pm, at the Sixth Grade Center. Present were Board members Niki Cloud, Bill Lasley, Karen Wilkinson, Nathan Terry, Jeff Jones, Patrick Scott, and Ryan Collier. 

Boy Scouts Troup 9, Connor Wilkowski, Lucas Talbot, Truman Fisher, and Blayne Daugherty led the Pledge of Allegiance. Sixth Grade Center band students provided cheerful songs under the direction of band director, Sal Prado. 








FFA students Kallie Cloud, Kiley Freeman, Gabby Gary, Shelby Hegwer, and Kassidy Howard demonstrated their Ag Issues team presentation under the direction of Brandon Duff, Agriculture Instructor. 

The Board approved the Consent Agenda for the purpose of approving the meeting agenda, minutes of previous meeting, payment of bills, district financial report, FY23 budget amendments, high school asphalt specs, bus bid specs, storage shed specs/bid packet, and employee health insurance stop-loss carrier for the 2023-2024 and extension of current employee health insurance services. 

Bill Lasley extended his appreciation to Karen Wilkinson with a plaque for her years of dedicated service to the Board of Education. 

The Board approved the official results of the April 4, 2023, school bond and school board election as certified by the Jasper County Clerk. Jeff Jones, Lora Phelps, and Patrick Scott were duly elected Carthage R-9 School District board members for three-year terms of office. The Oath of Office was administered to Jeff Jones, Lora Phelps, and Patrick Scott, by Niki Cloud, President. 

The Board Officers for 2023-2024 are: President Jeff Jones, Vice President Bill Lasley, Secretary Niki Cloud and Treasurer Ryan Collier. Board members volunteered to serve as delegates, committee representatives, and liaisons to district schools. 

Dr. Matt Huntley, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, Mrs. Amy Cristy, Communication Specialist, 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, 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 Foundation update stating the Flanigan and Boylan scholarship winners are being selected and Senior Academic Awards night will be held May 1, 2023. 

Dr. Huntley provided the Board information regarding the student handbook changes and instructional materials for their review and consideration for adoption at the May 15th board meeting. 

Dr. Baker provided the Board information regarding the revised policies and regulations for their review and consideration for adoption at the May 15th board meeting. Dr. Baker updated the Board regarding the following: 

 • State mandated MAP and EOC testing starting soon. 

• Transportation inspections conducted by the Missouri Highway Patrol were completed with good results. 








• Eye of the Tiger Awards recognize the district's support staff. Nomination forms are on the district website and social media platforms. 

• Graduation – Thursday, May 11, 2023. 

• Last day of school – Thursday, May 25, 2023. 

• Summer School – Tuesday May 30, 2023 at Columbian, Fairview, Steadley, Intermediate Center, 6th Grade Center, and High School. 

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 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 

Colton Sprenkle, Elementary Music Teacher Columbian/6th Grade Center New Hire

Mr. Sprenkle graduated from Pittsburg State University in 2020 with a Bachelors in Music Education. He then earned a Master’s Degree in Multiple Woodwinds from Oklahoma City University. Mr. Sprenkle is currently substitute teaching with Carthage R-9 School District. 
 
Ryan Heflin, Social Studies Teacher Carthage High School New Hire 

 Mr. Heflin has been an Alternative School Teacher at the Clever School District since 2021. He graduated from Missouri State University in 2017 with a Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies and certifications in American and World History. He has added certifications in Social Science and Physical Education as well.

Manhatten (Ethan) Caldwell, Science Teacher Carthage Junior High School New Hire 

Mr. Caldwell has been teaching for the Fort Smith, AR public school system since 2021. He graduated from Arkansas Tech University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Physical Education. 

Jessica Duncan, 5th Grade ELA/SS Teacher Carthage Intermediate Center New Hire 

Ms. Duncan has been substitute teaching for Carthage R-9 School District since 2019. She graduated from Missouri Southern State University last May with a Bachelor of Science in Education. 

Marina Hicks, Dual Language Kindergarten Teacher Fairview Elementary New Hire

Ms. Hicks has been teaching First Grade at Joplin Schools since 2014. She graduated from Grand Canyon University in 2014. She is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Reading from Arkansas State University.
 
Jeff Beshore, 8th Grade Science Teacher Carthage Junior High School Re-Hire 

Mr. Beshore began teaching with the Carthage R-9 School District in August of 2014. He continued teaching until he retired in May of 2022. 

Lisa Moore, 4th Grade Teacher Carthage Intermediate Center Transfer Currently 6th Grade Teacher Allison Hawkins, 4th Grade Teacher Carthage Intermediate Center Transfer Currently 5th Grade Teacher 
Christina Landburg, Gifted Teacher Carthage Intermediate Center Transfer Currently 4th Grade Teacher Wayne Coble, Social Studies Teacher/PLTW 6th Grade Center Transfer Currently Social Studies Teacher at 6GC 

Support Hire 

Jesse Sheldon, Custodian 6th Grade Center New Hire 
Shauna Myers, Cook (Summer School) Steadley Summer School Only 
Dallas Scavezze, Personal Paraprofessional Carthage High School Modification Currently a Substitute








Substitute Hire

Mary Allison, Bus Driver Transportation Re-Hire Substitute 
Dakota Sisseck, Substitute District Re-Hire 
Colton DeWitt, Substitute District Current IT Employee 
Stephanie Garcia, Bus Driver Transportation New Hire 

Substitute Extra Duty Hire 

Braden McBride, Braden Head Boys Track Coach CHS Transfer Transfer from Assistant Coach 
Nathan Kelly, Head Wrestling Coach CHS Transfer Transfer from Assistant Coach 

Certified Resignation

Brett Fox, English Teacher Carthage High School Resignation End of 2022- 2023 
Leigh Anne Goodman, Visually Impaired Teacher Fairview Elementary Resignation End of 2022- 2023 Taylor Beck, 4th Grade Teacher Carthage Intermediate Center Resignation End of 2022- 2023 

Support Resignation

Mark Still Head Custodian Carthage High School Resignation 4/14/2023 
William Huckstep, Maintenance/Plumber District Resignation 4/14/2023 

Support Retirement 

Debra Hensley, Secretary/Registrar Carthage High School Retirement End of 2022-2023 

Extra Duty Resignation

Kenny Brown, Head Varsity Wrestling Coach Carthage High School Resignation 
Brant Maxwell, Assist Boys Basketball Coach Carthage High School Resignation 
Walter Resa, Assistant Softball Coach Carthage High School Resignation

No comments: