(From the Carthage R-9 School District)The Carthage R-9 Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, November 17, 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.
Mrs. Jenifer Sager, Director of Bands, and band students shared successes from their marching band season and competitions.
Mr. Jamie Newman, Head Girls Golf Coach, and student golfers shared their successes during the girls golf season.
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, and establish filing dates for Board of Education.
Rebecca Baker, KPM, CPA’s, reviewed the FY25 audit report.
Mr. Brian Jackson, Hight Jackson Associates PA, Mr. Estaban Ayala, Hight Jackson Associates PA, Mr. Aaron Hight, Crossland Construction Company, Inc., Mr. Brett Cares, Crossland Construction Company, Inc., and Dr. Holley Goodnight, Assistant Superintendent for Business, provided the Board
information regarding the Carthage R-9 auditorium – Guaranteed Maximum Price Amendment and
Bid Package #1.
Ms. Sanchez and Mr. Jones volunteered to serve on the John T. Belcher Scholarship selection committee. The committee will select a nominee to represent the district in this competitive scholarship application process.
Dr. Luke Boyer, Superintendent, discussed with the Board a class action lawsuit that the school district may qualify for. Dr. Boyer stated details are still developing and will share when more information is available.
Dr. Goodnight provided the Board an update regarding the farm excavation request for proposal for
excavation and land clearing work at 1090 E. Airport Dr., Carthage, MO.
Dr. Matt Huntley, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, provided the Board information regarding
the MSIP 6 – Amendment to Budget: Message of Support for CSIP Actions.
Dr. Huntley provided the Board information regarding the MSIP 6 – Building Level Improvement Plans.
Ms. Beth Hunt, Curriculum Director, and Mrs. Brittany Thompson, K-12 ELA Instructional Facilitator
and K-3 Reading Specialist, provided the Board information regarding the MSIP 6 – District Literacy
Plan.
Dr. Goodnight provided the Board information regarding the MSIP 6 – District Facilities Plan.
Mr. Mark Holderbaum, Director of Athletics and Activities, appeared before the Board to review the
2025 Carthage High School fall sports.
Mrs. Crystal Brown, Carthage R-9 Foundation Director, provided a Carthage R-9 School Foundation
update highlighting the success of 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.
Dr. Boyer, Ms. Cloud, and Ms. Sanchez attended the 2025 MSBA Annual School Board Conference in
Kansas City, Missouri, October 23-25, 2025. All attendees discussed their takeaways from conference sessions.
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, student matters, negotiated contracts, and evaluative personnel reports in compliance with
Section 610.021 (1), (3), (6), (12), and (13) of the Revised Statutes of Missouri.
In closed session the Board approved the following personnel actions:
Approved the employment of professional, 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:
Practical Nursing Staff Contract Renewals
Mari Beth Linder, practical nursing coordinator
Jo Ellen Branstetter, practical nursing instructor
Jessica Dutter, practical nursing instructor
Certified Hire
Milca Rebolledo, second degree dual language (English) teacher
Ms. Rebolledo is an aspiring educator currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Elementary Education at Missouri Southern State University, with graduation anticipated in December 2025. She is completing her student teaching this Fall at Fairview Elementary where she will be hired as the Teacher of Record effective October 27, 2025.
Support Hire
Crystal Merick, early childhood professional, Pleasant Valley Elementary
Raylyn Furrh, cook, Carthage Intermediate Center
James Bischoffer, bus driver
Susan James, homebound teacher, Carthage High School
Christina Busker, bus driver
Ashley Sharp, special education paraprofessional, Columbian Elementary
Substitute Hire
Ava Gould
Cean Frye
Emma Hawkins
Mallory Avey, substitute cook
Scott Greene
Sarah Nalley
Mackenzie Ball
Shena Curry
Willis Potter
Support Transfer
Miao Nelson, cook, Columbian Elementary
Ariela Sanchez, special education paraprofessional, Columbian Elementary
Keisha Farmer, payroll specialist, Administration Building
Patricia Ochoa, special education paraprofessional, Sixth Grade Center
Substitute Transfer
Lindsey Pershall, substitute cook
Certified Retirement
Lisa Northrup, principal, Steadley Elementary
Jana Sawyer, director of language services, Welcome Center
Mark Holderbaum, director of athletics/activities
Jennifer Sager, band director, Carthage High School
Certified Resignation
Calvin Gazaway, ISS teacher, Carthage Sixth Grade Center
Bethany Hughes, kindergarten teacher, Fairview Elementary
Halle Sheets, kindergarten teacher, Columbian Elementary
Lydia Brant, music teacher, Steadley Elementary/Sixth Grade Center
Dana Oxford, business teacher, Carthage Technical Center
Kaylin Portillo, dual language kindergarten (English) teacher, Fairview Elementary
Support Resignation
Julie Minor, personal paraprofessional, Carthage Junior High School
Jessica Thomas, cook, Carthage Junior High School
Brandon Lee, cook, Carthage Junior High School
Substitute Resignation
Ivy Wright
Lakyn Shallenburger
Brenda Lomard, substitute bus aide
No comments:
Post a Comment