(From the Carthage R-9 School District)The Carthage R-9 Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, May 19, 2025, 6:00 pm, at the Early Childhood Center. Present were Board members Ms. Niki Cloud, Mrs. Lora Phelps, Dr. Mark Westhoff, and Mr. Jeff Jones. Ms. Maria Sanchez and Mr. Patrick Scott attended via Zoom. Mr. Ryan Collier was absent. Ms. Niki Cloud 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, grant applications for 2025-2026, adopt revised policy, and re-adopt Southwest Missouri Bank transaction resolution.
Ms. Becky Esrock, Stifel Public Finance, reviewed the process for selling the general obligation bonds authorized by voters on April 8, 2025, for construction of an auditorium, including classroom space.
Dr. Luke Boyer, Superintendent, provided to the Board information regarding revised Regulation 4319, 4320, and 2610 for their review and consideration of adoption at the June 16, 2025 board meeting.
Dr. Holley Goodnight, Assistant Superintendent for Business, presented to the Board change order request #3 for the Carthage Stadium Elevator. Dr. Goodnight, Assistant Superintendent for Business, presented to the Board the employee health insurance plan for the 2025-2026 school year. Dr. Goodnight stated the plan itself did not change as far as the benefits we provide for our fulltime employees. A review of the current plan’s funding levels and funding considerations for the future was conducted which resulted in a 4.00% increase in premiums for the 2025-2026 school year.
Dr. Goodnight presented to the Board information regarding a third-party administrator for the employee health plan and stop-loss carrier for 2025-2026. Dr. Goodnight stated the district’s third party provider for medical benefits remained with BMI – Benefit Management Incorporated and XSRE Sirius as the stop-loss carrier.
Dr. Goodnight presented information to the Board regarding the CMAR (Construction Manager At Risk) proposals and interviews conducted for the Carthage High School Auditorium. Dr. Goodnight recommended Crossland Construction as the CMAR for the project.
Dr. Boyer presented the 2025-2026 budget review. Key areas discussed were revenues, expenses, fund balances, district debt payments, tax revenue, and assessed valuation. The Board will approve the preliminary budget during the June 16th board meeting with amendments made as the year progresses.
Dr. Matt Huntley, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, presented the MSIP 6: Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (Fall 2025 – Spring 2030) to the Board for their review and consideration of adoption at the June 16, 2025 board meeting. Ms. Maria Sanchez reported she had no update for the Carthage R-9 School Foundation.
Dr. Boyer presented his report to the Board.
The Board met in closed session immediately following the regular meeting to discuss legal, real estate, personnel, and student matters in compliance with Section 610.021 (1), (2), (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, 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
Mica Oates, kindergarten teacher, Fairview Elementary- Ms. Oates is a dedicated educator currently finishing up her student teaching in Webb City School District. She will be completing her Bachelor's of Science in Elementary and Early Childhood Education, resulting in certification of both areas.
Alecia Arwood, language arts teacher, Carthage Junior High School- Ms. Arwood is an aspiring educator from Seneca, Missouri, currently completing her Bachelor of Science in Education at Missouri Southern State University, with a focus on English for middle and secondary education. Anticipated to graduate in May 2025, Alecia brings hands-on experience through student teaching at Webb City High School and a junior internship at Carthage Junior High School.
Kailey Dallas, business teacher, Carthage Technical Center- Ms. Dallas is an educator specializing in business and marketing education, currently serving in Diamond School District. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education with a Business major and Spanish minor from Missouri Southern State University, as well as an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from Crowder College.
Madison Harris, first grade teacher, Columbian Elementary- Ms. Harris is an aspiring elementary educator currently completing a Bachelor of Science in Education (K–6) at Pittsburg State University, with graduation expected in May 2025. She has hands-on classroom experience through student teaching and internship practicums in classrooms at Liberty Elementary in Galena, KS and Carl Junction Intermediate.
Jacalyn Gacke, EL teacher, Carthage Junior High School- Ms. Gacke is currently serving as a Substitute Teacher for the district, but has experience as a reading teacher in Iowa. She holds degrees in Healthcare Administration, Elementary Education, and Floral Design & Business Management.
Support Hire
Audrey Sisseck, custodian, Carthage High School
Jaymee Hernandez, cook, Fairview Elementary
Patricia Ochoa, special education paraprofessional, Carthage Intermediate Center
Substitute Hire
Emmie Gieles, district
Stephanie Rose, substitute bus driver, transportation, rehire
Sheila McReynolds, substitute, district
Certified Transfer
Eymi Perez-Lopez, art teacher, Carthage Junior High School
Kady Miller, early child special education teacher, Early Childhood Center
Melissa Langston, French teacher, Carthage High School
Elizabeth Arthur, special education teacher, Carthage Junior High School
Support Transfer
Krystel Golay, secretary, Steadley Elementary
Malonna Garrett, special education paraprofessional, Columbian Elementary
Wendy Royer, administrative assistant, Sixth Grade Center
Certified Resignation
Jaren Hulette, business teacher, Carthage Technical Center
Julie Burk, early childhood special education teacher, Early Childhood Center
Luis Tovar, AEL instructor, Carthage Technical Center
Support Retirement
Roeshal Franklin, special education paraprofessional, Fairview Elementary
Support Resignation
Marcus Van Dorn, piano accompanist, Carthage Junior High School
Susan Walker, paraprofessional, Early Childhood Center
Miki Smith, speech paraprofessional, Fairview Elementary
Ryan Staggs, custodian, Carthage High School
Christy Siguenza, Title I paraprofessional, Steadley Elementary
Kimberly Sloniker, Tiger Prep paraprofessional, Fairview Elementary
Felicia Rogers, special education paraprofessional, Fairview Elementary
Joseph Bartosh, home school liaison, Carthage High School
Pallavi Farmer, paraprofessional, Carthage High School
Ruby Shaffer, special education paraprofessional, Columbian Elementary
Here we go again, another school selling bonds, to pay for things - with all the Tax Money, Lotto Money, and now Sports Betting Money, Etc., - what is going wrong with our Educational Systems. Maybe we need to find better ways to spend the money the schools receive - Do we need to Spend Millions of Dollars on Astro Turf or Sports Centers - How about Schools getting back to Education which is what they were primarily designed to do - Educate our Children - Let's get rid of the Large Layers of Administrators and their army of assistants - Superintendents, Principals, Assistant Principals, and Assistant's Assistants - We spend too much money on the Administrators and that level of Staffing - We need to get rid of the Waste and Abuse in our American Schools - Missouri is Ranked 32nd in Education in the United States - and the United States is Ranked 13th in the World - if anyone Dares Think - our Educational System is Working - You have NO IDEA OF WHAT IS GOING ON.
ReplyDeleteWhy Johnny and Jill can't Read, Write, Understand History, Do Math, and Lacks in Science - is all part of our Failing Educational System in Missouri and the United States. Yet, the Largest Union in the United States - The Teacher's Union continues to Fund Raise for the Demoncratic Party as well as Donating to the Demoncratic Party - for Decade after Decade - and we expect our Educational System to magically change - when we allow this to happen year after year.
When the Repubes don’t like what you have to say, they always refer to the backup plan insults and name calling, The Repubes are Professional Victims….
DeleteThat’s my line you can only use on against the Dumbs, because that’s exactly what they are. I wonder what political party has more members on welfare and government assistance. You do the math, well maybe you should ask someone for help.
DeleteSportsball is important! When sportsball does good than the learning environment follows right along with huge growth! Or that's what they want you to believe. Jumbotrons and Turf has enriched SWMO area schools to lead the state on assessments! Accountability sucks! Attendance sucks! Parents suck! TRUE Graduation rates suck! We suck as communities! Either we are okay with it and continue the status quo, or we admit that we have a problem and FIX IT!
ReplyDeleteI am sick of it. Over the past couple of hours, I've rejected every comment in which people are referred to as Magat, Repubes, Demoncrats or whatever stupid, childish names you guys keep coming up with. If you want to refer to Democrats, call them Democrats. If you want to call them Republicans, call them Republicans. I have a feeling I'm not the only one who is sick of this nonsense. Besides the name calling, you guys are commenting with the same kind of political garbage on posts that have nothing to do with politics. You obviously are intelligent people, please make your points without trying to trigger other people. If that's the only way you can get your point across, then your point isn't worth much.
ReplyDelete