Carthage R-9 Board hires three teachers, 18 support personnel during special session

(From the Carthage R-9 School District)

The Carthage R-9 Board of Education met in special session on Monday, August 5, 2024, 12:00 pm, at Carthage R-9 District Administration Office. Present were board members Jeff Jones, Niki Cloud, Lora Phelps, and Patrick Scott. Ryan Collier and Mark Westhoff attended via Zoom. Maria Sanchez was absent. 

The board members approved the agenda and adjourned to closed session to discuss personnel matters in compliance with Section 610.021 (3) of the Revised Statutes of Missouri. 

In closed session the Board approved the following personnel actions: Approved the employment of certified, support, and substitute 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 

John Seal, Social Studies Teacher Carthage High School New Hire- Mr. Seal has been working in the education field over 40 years. His experience includes teaching American and World History, Government, Psychology, Sociology and many more subjects. Mr. Seal graduated from Pittsburg State University in 1975, then earned a Master's Degree from Pittsburg State University in 2006. 

Diane McWilliams, Part-time Title 1 Teacher New Hire St. Ann's-  Ms. McWilliams has 32 years of teaching experience and has done so in the Carthage School District. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1987 from Missouri Southern State University. 

Wilkerson, Chris, PLTW Biomed Teacher, Carthage Technical Center – Retired in May 2024. Re-hiring under PSRS Critical Shortage

Support Hire 

Sheresa Wendleton, Sped Paraprofessional Re-Hire

Whitney Floyd, Columbian Elementary Sped Paraprofessional New Hire

Mary Kreisle, Columbian Elementary Sped Paraprofessional New Hire

Celeste McCaslin, Bus Driver Transportation New Hire

Joseph Spencer, Custodian Carthage High School New Hire

Briana Burns, Sped Paraprofessional Carthage High School New Hire

Chad Hammond, Assistant Bus Mechanic Transportation New Hire

Amber Barrett, Bus Driver Transportation New Hire 

Lauren Choate, New Hire Student Marketing Intern South Tech Center New Hire

Richard Southard, Bus Driver Transportation Re-hire

Marshall Schreiber, Bus Driver Transportation New Hire 

Oakley Branstetter, Sped Paraprofessional New Hire

Barry Brattin, Bus Aide Transportation Re-Hire 

Darin Youngberg, Sped Paraprofessional 6th Grade Center New Hire 

Steven Goodman, Bus Driver Transportation Re-Hire 

Kate Lasley, PAT Parent Educator Early Childhood Center New Hire 

Jayme Sigars, PAT Parent Educator Early Childhood Center New Hire 

Elizabeth Waite, PAT Parent Educator Early Childhood Center Re-Hire 

Support Transfer 

Courtney Franklin, Cook 6th Grade Center Transfer 

Heimy Rodas, Sped Paraprofessional Carthage High School Transfer 

Support Modification 

Hannah Miller, Computer/Media Aide Fairview Elementary Modification 

Brant Maxwell, Bus Driver Transportation Modification 

Certified Resignation

Ed Barlow, Social Studies Teacher Carthage High School Resignation 

Support Resignation

Amy Scott Sped Paraprofessional Carthage High School Resignation 

Heather Justice, Sped Paraprofessional Columbian Elementary Resignation 

Madison Haslip, Sped Paraprofessional Carthage Intermediate Center Resignation 

Summer Butterfield, Sped Paraprofessional Carthage High School Resignation 

Amber Parada, Sped Paraprofessional Steadley Elementary Resignation 

Substitute Resignation 

Joseph Swearengen, Substitute District Resignation