(From the Carthage R-9 School District)The Carthage R-9 Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, August 17, 2026, 6:02 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 Dr. Robin Blair.
The Board approved the Consent Agenda for the purpose of approving the meeting agenda, minutes of previous meeting, payment of bills, district financial report, and new and revised policies and regulations.
Mr. Jeff Meredith, Carthage Economic Development Corporation CEO, provided the Board information
regarding economic development information in the Carthage area.
Dr. Holley Goodnight, Assistant Superintendent for Business, Mr. Dan Hill, Director of Maintenance,
Mrs. Catherine Steverson, Director of Information Technology, and Mr. Larry Swinehart, Director of
Security, provided the Board information regarding the CSIP Priority 3: Operational Efficiency report.
Mrs. Crystal Brown, Director of Carthage R-9 School Foundation provided a foundation update to the
Board.
Dr. Matt Huntley, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, provided the Board information regarding the 2026-2027 district assessment plan.
Dr. Goodnight provided the Board information regarding the Missouri State Highway annual bus
inspection report.
Dr. Goodnight, Mr. Hill, Mr. Joel Gundelfinger, Navitas Business Development Market Manager, and
Mr. Ryan Terry, Navitas Business Development Manager, provided information to the Board regarding
the HVAC assessment.
Dr. Luke Boyer, Superintendent, provided the Board information regarding the FY26 final budget.
Dr. Boyer 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:
Certified Hire
Adrian Bittner, art teacher, Carthage High School- Ms. Bittner recently completed a Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) in Art Education at Missouri State University while also pursuing a Master of Arts in Education, both from Missouri State University. Her practical experience is with teaching elementary, primarily K-3rd grade.
Kelly Avise, MO Options/Alternative Education Teacher- Powers Learning Center- Ms. Avise is being recommended for rehire under PSRS Critical Shortage. Ms. Avise returns to the district after her recent retirement, and she brings many years of experience to this role.
Daniel Steele, EL teacher, Carthage Intermediate Center- Mr. Steele is a secondary education graduate from New Mexico State University with a bachelor’s degree in English education.
Tracy Rogers, speech language pathologist- Mrs. Rogers is being recommended for rehire under PSRS Critical Shortage. Mrs. Rogers recently retired from Neosho School District, but worked in Carthage for many years prior to that. In total, she brings 30 years of experience. Mrs. Rogers earned her Bachelors and Master’s degrees from Missouri State University in Communication Sciences and Disorders/Speech Language Pathology.
Support Hire
Jadyn Harris, bus aide
Brittany Fix, Title 1 instructional assistant. Steadley Elementary
Diana Higgins, bus driver
Rena Ramos, bus aide
Cassandra Kuhl, special education paraprofessional, Early Childhood
Jacqueline Valenzuela, cook, Carthage Junior High School
Amber Guitareo, cook, Steadley Elementary
Tosha Logan, special education paraprofessional, Steadley Elementary
Brittany Connelly, special education paraprofessional, Steadley Elementary
Shylia Scribner, cook, Carthage Junior High
Juli Minor, special education paraprofessional, Carthage Junior High School
Kristian Jeffries, payroll clerk
Fredy Morales, special education paraprofessional, Carthage High School
Tyler Myers, special education paraprofessional, Carthage Junior High School
Shaely Donham, Tiger Prep Academy paraprofessional, Fairview Elementary
Amy Anderson, special education paraprofessional (autism), Columbian Elementary
Emily Adams, special education paraprofessional, Carthage Junior High School
Caine Washburn, special education paraprofessional, Early Childhood
Substitute Hire
Ivy LaTendresse, substitute cook
Tracy Newell
Trish Pearce, substitute teacher/bus driver
Jackson Marlett
Glenn Oney
Gracelyn Patrick
Certified Transfer
Amanda Carcamo, counselor, Sixth Grade Center
Ethan Beaver, 4th and 5th grade dual language teacher, Carthage Intermediate Center
Support Transfer
Julie Brown, special education paraprofessional, Fairview Elementary
Support Modification
Keith Golubski, bus driver
Corey Willis, bus driver
Luke Jones, IT technician (part time)
Substitute Modification
Dakota Borchgardt, custodian
Katelyn Borland, custodian
Certified Resignation
Katey Fallis, counselor, Sixth Grade counselor
Support Resignation
Brittany Huff, cook, Fairview Elementary
Eric Ockert, evening custodian, Carthage High School
Marshall Schreiber, bus driver
Connie Murray, special education paraprofessional, Fairview Elementary
Substitute Resignation
James McDaniel, custodian
Alana Eastin, cook
Dana Cook, nurse
Tax Rate Hearing
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 Dr. Robin Blair. Ms. Niki Cloud led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Following a hearing on the district’s proposed tax rate, the Board established the total tax levy for
2026-2027 including Incidental Fund $3.6000 and Debt Service Fund $0.8300 totaling at $4.4300.
This is the same rate at 2025.
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