Thursday, May 18, 2023

Carthage R-9 Board hires five teachers, accepts nine resignations, one retirement


(From the Carthage R-9 School District)

The Carthage R-9 Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, May 15, 2023, 6:00 pm, at Carthage South Technical Center. 

Present were Board members Jeff Jones, Bill Lasley, Niki Cloud, Ryan Collier, Nathan Terry, Patrick Scott, and Lora Phelps. Jeff Jones led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

The Board approved the Consent Agenda for the purpose of approving the meeting agenda, minutes of previous meeting, payment of bills, district financial report, health insurance administrative services agreement with Benefit Management Consultants, LLC, Southwest Missouri Bank transaction resolution, grant applications for 2023-2024, 2023-2024 student handbooks and regulation 2310, 2023-2024 instructional materials, and accepting the carpentry class storage shed bids. 








Dr. Gage Tiller, Director of Carthage Technical Center, and Scott Clayton, Executive Director at Joplin Habitat for Humanity, presented a proposal to partner together to rehab and remodel a home in Carthage. Dr. Tiller stated the partnership will help revitalize our community and provide quality, hands-on learning for our CTC carpentry students. 

Dr. Matt Huntley, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, and Ms. Beth Hunt, Curriculum Director, presented the MSIP 6: CSIP Final Review report. Dr. Huntley shared an overview of the report requirements along with a final summary of strengths and growth opportunities for the district. 

Mr. Jones provided a Carthage R-9 Foundation update. The Carthage High School 2022-2023 Senior Academic Awards night was recently held with $316,000 in scholarships awarded to 150 students. 

Dr. Huntley and Ms. Hunt, provided the Board information regarding the Biology instructional materials for their review and consideration for adoption at the June 19th board meeting. 

Dr. Baker discussed the amended 2023-2024 school calendar stating the district has the opportunity to host the Missouri Association of Student Councils State Convention on March 15th. This would require March 15, 2024, to be a non-school day due to the additional students and staff at the high school. The 2023-2024 school calendar was decreased by one day (171 days). 

Dr. Holley Goodnight, Assistant Superintendent for Business, presented information regarding a school safety grant the district received for $400,000 and a request for proposals for a school safety audit to be completed. Dr. Goodnight stated submission deadline for the proposals is June 5, 2023 and the Board will review proposals and take action to award a contract at the June 19th board meeting. 

Dr. Baker presented the 2023-2024 budget review. Key areas discussed were certified and support staff benefit packages, anticipated projected reserves, and reminding the 2025-2026 is the focal budget. The Board will approve the preliminary budget during the June 19th board meeting with amendments made as year progresses. 

Dr. Baker updated the Board regarding the following: 

• 2023 Graduation was a success! Congratulations to Patrick Scott and Niki Cloud on your children’s graduation. 








• Bond issue update regarding PAC and Baseball field – next 57.14% option for an election is April 2024. As of now, the future plans for baseball games and practices is playing at Carl Lewton Stadium. 

• Many great things are happening in our district: CTC and Habitat for Humanity partnership, awarded $400,000 School Safety Grant, and seniors received $316,000 in scholarships. 

• Last day of school – Thursday, May 25, 2023, 1:00 pm dismissal. 

• Summer School starts – 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 personnel and student matters in compliance with Section 610.021 (3) and (6) of the Revised Statutes of Missouri. In closed session the Board approved the following personnel actions: 

Approved the employment of certified, support, extra duty, substitute, and summer school 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 

Kelsey Haeberle, Art Teacher Columbian and 6th Grade Center New Hire

 Ms. Haeberle graduated from Sam Houston State University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Human Psychology and a minor in Art. She then pursued her Master's Degree in Art/Education at Missouri State University and graduated in 2022. Ms. Haeberle is currently a substitute teacher for our district 


Lee Ann Fent, Business Teacher Tech Center - South New Hire 

Ms. Fent worked for the Carthage R-9 School District from 2017 through 2021 as a High School Counselor. In 2021, she was an Adjunct Instructor for Crowder College. This current school year, Ms. Fent is a School Counselor for the Seneca School District. Her degrees include a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Oklahoma State University in 2009 and a Master of Science in School Counseling from Pittsburg State University in 2018.








Sean Harrison, History Teacher Carthage High School New Hire 

Mr. Harrison will be graduating from Missouri Southern State University this month with a Bachelor of Science in Education. His main focus was on Social Science (History) and will earn a minor in Political Science. His experience includes being a Teacher Candidate for Carl Junction's Social Studies Department this semester.

Hadley Hicklin, English Teacher Carthage High School New Hire 

Ms. Hicklin will be graduating from Missouri Southern State University this month with a Bachelor of Science in Education. Her main focus was English. Ms. Hicklin did her Junior Internship at the Carthage High School in 2022.

Karen Holland, Art Teacher Carthage Intermediate Center New Hire 

Ms. Holland graduated from Pittsburg State University in 2013 with a degree in Art Education. She began teaching Art for the Pittsburg School District in 2013. Her total experience includes stops at Pittsburg School District, Ozark School District, and Northeast School District. 

Support Hire 

Juli Minor, SPED Paraprofessional 6th Grade Center Modification 
Wesley Sisk, Accompanist Carthage High School New Hire 
Lucas Carter, Grounds (Seasonal) Maintenance Re-Hire 
Brian Chasten, Head Bus Mechanic Transportation Modification 
Brittany Nugent, Cook (Summer School) Steadley Elementary New Hire 
Samantha Hall, Cook (Summer School) Carthage Intermediate Center New Hire 

Extra Duty Hire 

Manhatten (Ethan) Caldwell, 7th Grade Head Football Coach Carthage Junior High School New Hire Adan Sigala, Jr High Assistant Football Coach Carthage Junior High School Current 
Camryn Holloman, HS Assistant Track Coach Carthage High School New Hire 
Charles Sailor, HS Assistant Track Coach Carthage High School Current 
Jillian Brunnert, Assistant Volleyball Coach Carthage High School New Hire 
Paola Trujillo, Assistant Cross Country Coach Carthage High School Current 
Broc Wolfe, Assistant Track Coach Carthage High School Current 
Sydney Peters, Assistant Softball Coach Carthage High School Current 
Edxel Morales, Assistant Wrestling Coach Carthage High School New Hire 

Substitute Hire 

Taylor Steinbach, Cook District Re-Hire 
Michelle Endicott, Substitute District New Hire 
Charlene Slater, Substitute District New Hire 

Certified Transfer

Barbara Poindexter, Social Studies Teacher 6th Grade Center Transfer 
Laura Ragsdale, 2nd Grade Teacher Steadley Elementary Transfer 
Chelsy Hole, 3rd Grade Teacher Steadley Elementary Transfer 








Support Transfer

Robert Hamm, Head Custodian Carthage High School Transfer 
John Krieg, Head Custodian Carthage Junior High School Transfer 
Amy Black, Registrar Carthage High School Transfer 
Twyla Henson-Rich, Attendance Secretary Carthage Junior High School Transfer 
Allison Taylor, Paraprofessional Columbian Elementary Transfer 

Certified Retirement

April Sheets, Virtual Learning Teacher Virtual Learning Center Retirement 

Certified Resignation

Ronni Keena, Kindergarten Teacher Fairview Elementary Resignation 
Mili Nelson Navarro, Spanish Teacher Carthage High School Resignation 
Stephanie Zoromski, TPA Teacher Columbian Elementary Resignation 
Carley Milberg, Art Teacher Pleasant Valley/6th Grade Center Resignation 
Gwen Utter, 2nd Grade Teacher Steadley Elementary Resignation 
Amy Sanchez, Kindergarten Teacher Fairview Elementary Resignation 
Kolby Sowell, Music Teacher Carthage Intermediate Center Resignation 
Luke Bordewick, Science Teacher Carthage High School Resignation 

Support Retirement 

Laura McClary, Sped Paraprofessional Carthage High School Retirement 
Lorene Thorn, Bus Driver Transportation Retirement 

Support Resignation 

Sarah Polley, Sped Paraprofessional Steadley Elementary Resignation 
Taylor Steinback, Cook 6th Grade Center Resignation 
Chris Honaker, Bus Driver Transportation Resignation 
Lori Haddock, Paraprofessional Steadley Elementary Resignation 
Aimee Brumit, Peace Builder District Resignation 

Extra Duty Resignation 

Kellen Bounous, Assistant Wrestling Coach Carthage High School Resignation 
Jasmine Deckard, Assistant Track Coach Carthage High School Resignation 

Substitute Resignation 

Lucas Carter, Substitute District Resignation

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