Carthage R-9 Board accepts seven teacher resignations, five retirements

(From the Carthage R-9 School District)

The Carthage R-9 Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, October 20, 2025, 6:00 pm, at the Carthage South Technical Center – Community Room. Present were Board members Ms. Niki
Cloud, Mr. Ryan Collier, Mrs. Lora Phelps, Dr. Mark Westhoff, Mr. Jeff Jones, Ms. Maria Sanchez,
and Mr. Patrick Scott. 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 open session meeting, payment of bills, district financial report, amendments to FY26 budget, student ridership count and bus routes for 2025-2026, and new and revised policies and regulations.

Dr. Matt Huntley, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, provided the Board information regarding
the MSIP 6 / CSIP updates.

Mrs. Crystal Brown, Carthage R-9 Foundation Director, provided a Carthage R-9 School Foundation
update regarding the major saver campaign and the Carthage Legacy Campaign – Raise the Curtain. The trivia night fundraiser will be held on February 7, 2026 at Specialty Risk Insurance.

Mr. Bryan Shallenburger, Director of Special Services, provided the Board information regarding the
special education compliance plan.

Mrs. Kim Ensminger, Director of Early Childhood, presented a pre-school update to the Board.

Dr. Holley Goodnight, Assistant Superintendent for Business, provided the Board information
regarding the farm excavation request for proposal for excavation and land clearing work at 1090 E.
Airport Dr., Carthage, MO.

Dr. Goodnight provided the Board information regarding the purchase of farm equipment to be utilized
at the school farm.

Dr. Luke Boyer, Superintendent, presented his report to the Board.

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 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:

Support Hire

Jesenia Baird, special education paraprofessional, Columbian Elementary

Kellie Taylor, special education paraprofessional, Fairview Elementary

Cole Morris, student intern, food service

Jason Rodas, home to school liaison, Carthage Intermediate Center

Brandon Lee, cook, Columbian Elementary

Jessica Thomas, cook, Carthage Junior High School

Maddix McCahon, IT tech, technology

Rachel Stanley, special education paraprofessional, Early Childhood Center

Substitute Hire

Mackenzie Divine

Sandra Hudson

Kenneth King

Noel Davison

Lauren Gower, substitute bus aide

Jordan Agan, substitute bus driver

Jordan Sanderson

Emilia Renteria, substitute cook

Certified Transfer

Amanda Whitley, special education teacher, Sixth Grade Center

Denise Torres-Pitzer, first grade dual-language teacher, Fairview Elementary

Certified Retirement

Angela Smith, special education, Steadily Elementary,  

Pamela Teed, speech language pathologist, Steadily Elementary,

Chris Honaker, computer science, Carthage Technical Center, 

Jennifer Simpson, second grade teacher, Mark Twain Elementary

Robyn McLemore, third grade teacher, Columbian Elementary

Certified Resignation

Cheryl Cowgur, AEL instructor, Carthage Technical Center-North

Amanda Carcamo, special education process coordinator, Carthage High School

Ginger Baugh, part-time Title 1 teacher, Carthage Intermediate Center

Morgan Smith, fourth grade, Carthage Intermediate Center

Allison Hawkins, fourth grade teacher, Carthage Intermediate Center

Pamela York, first grade dual-language (Spanish), Fairview Elementary

Morgan Brisbin, first grade, Columbian Elementary

Support Resignation

Airman Haag, special education paraprofessional, Sixth Grade Center

Leeana Gray, bus driver

Justin Strait, bus driver

Substitute Resignations

Stephanie Rose, bus driver

Trish Gatewood, bus driver

Sara Danner

Jason Simmons

Laura Schwab

Alli Gibson

Jimi Tucker

William Sailing

Tori Chrisman

Jenna Braker

Karley Crowe

Andrew O'Dell

Jennifer Pointer

Abigail Surbrugg

Emily Turley

Robin Law

Alex Baker

Larry Doty

Emily Lee

Steven Norman

Rachel Pace