Government: Joplin Honky should serve 22 1/2 years on meth, heroin trafficking charges

A member of the Joplin Honkies gang should serve more than 22 years in prison, according to a sentencing memorandum filed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

Sentencing for Timothy A. Avey, 40, Joplin, is scheduled for April 4 in Springfield.

The case for a lengthy sentence for Avey was laid out in the memorandum, which began with a long list of Avey's felonies, including a number of arrests by Joplin Police officers, then was allowed to post bond and committed more crimes leading to the entrance of the federal government into the case and resulting in the current charges.

(T)he defendant went on a crime spree that is exasperating to read. 

On May 26 2019, he attempted to steal items from a store and had 24.2 grams of methamphetamine, heroin, pills, and marijuana. The defendant posted bond. 

In June 2019, the defendant sold methamphetamine to a confidential source. On June 18, 2019, investigators executed a warrant at the defendant’s home and found a firearm, drugs, and many components of a methamphetamine lab. The defendant admitted the drugs and firearm were his, admitted he was selling eight ounces of methamphetamine a day, and admitted he was about to manufacture methamphetamine. He was arrested, but posted bond. 

On August 21, 2019, the defendant was stopped with 135 grams of methamphetamine.He was arrested, but posted bond on September 18, 2019. 

On April 26, 2020, an officer attempted to stop the defendant for having the wrong plate on his vehicle. The defendant fled into a field, propelling the components of his methamphetamine lab out of his truck bed as he attempted to flee. 

On June 28, 2020, the defendant stopped and had with him 104 grams of methamphetamine. 

On October 26, 2020, the defendant attempted to flee from a traffic stop and wrecked into the hand railing of a church. The defendant had a methamphetamine lab in his car. 

The defendant came into federal custody on October 27, 2020, on a criminal complaint. The defendant’s criminal activity is clearly escalating and skyrocketed in the years prior to his arrest in this case. He is clearly a danger to the community, is only deterred by incarceration, and has no respect for the law.

 The defendant is also a member of the Joplin Honkys prison gang, which the PSR reports he joined in 2012. The Honky commitment to the outlaw way of life is well known. There is no doubt that the defendant would benefit from drug treatment and mental health treatment, but the defendant also reported that he has completed drug treatment several times in the past, including the long term treatment program in the Missouri Department of Corrections. 

Other than a brief time in his life, the defendant has always chosen to return to drugs, methamphetamine in specifically, and the outlaw way of life. 

To attempt to forestall the harm to the community from the defendant’s persistent drug use, distribution of drugs, and even manufacture of drugs, the Government believes that a sentence at the top of the Guidelines is most sufficient and not at all greater than necessary. To best achieve the goals of sentencing, the Government would recommend that this Court impose a total sentence of 270 months.

Joplin woman, on probation for felony possession charge, arrested for heroin possession

The Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested a Joplin woman for possession of heroin today in Pulaski County.

The arrest came after a Pulaski County judge sentenced Devonda D. Davis, 30, to seven years in a prison on a felony possession charge in 2020 then suspended the sentenced and placed her on supervised probation for five years.

Davis had been arrested May 10, 2019 by the Waynesville Police Department, according to online Pulaski County Circuit Court records.

The records indicate Davis has had a difficult time following the terms of her probation. At least six times she was cited for a probation violation, five motions for probation revocation were filed and 

Davis' most recent arrest came at 8:55 today. In addition to felony possession, she was cited for unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended or revoked, not having valid insurance and failure to display valid plates.

Court records indicate Davis moved to Joplin from St. Robert in 2022.

It’s time for Missouri lawmakers to respect local control of public schools

By Duane Martin

for the Missouri Independent

The State of Missouri is responsible for educating our children.

To educate Missouri’s kids, the state created a system that allows citizens to form school districts through an election process, each of which is governed by a locally elected board. This system is designed to honor our history of ensuring that control of public schools remains in the hands of elected representatives closest to the people they serve.

As our courts have recognized: “Local control over the public school, after all, is one of this nation’s most deeply rooted and cherished traditions.”

Public school districts are not agencies of the state governed by unelected appointees. They are separate, special purpose political subdivisions of the state with their own elected governing bodies. The state delegates to each locally elected school board broad governance authority to “make all needful rules and regulations for the organization, grading and government in the school district.”

Legally, school boards have general supervisory control and management of the public schools.

With each passing year, the state is attempting to take more and more control away from the locally elected school boards.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) routinely tries to intervene in local school district matters. For example, DESE regularly attempts to effectively make rules for local school districts.

DESE has no legal authority to make any rules for public schools. In the absence of the State Board of Education making such rules pursuant to the appropriate rule-making process, only the locally elected school board has the legal authority to make rules for the public school.

Moreover, DESE often attempts to intervene in local matters in which it has no authority. For example, DESE recently contacted a local school district I represent requesting detailed information regarding an individual student discipline matter. Even though DESE has no authority to obtain this information, and the fact that the local school board had yet to hear the appeal from the parents, DESE sought to intervene in what is purely a matter for a locally elected school board.

By contrast, the General Assembly does have legal authority to make rules for public schools, but when it does so, it takes decision-making power away from people elected locally to govern their schools.

Each year the General Assembly considers hundreds of new ways to effectively reduce the decision-making authority of locally elected boards. With each new school law passed, the increased regulation at the state level creates bureaucratic red tape and compliance checks from DESE. In shifting authority from local school boards to DESE, the state is transferring power from locally elected officials to unelected state officials.

Although the General Assembly has the legal authority to control public schools, it is simply creating more and more daylight between the people and their elected representatives.

The General Assembly’s promotion of charter schools is another example of the state’s assault upon local control. Unlike public school districts, charter schools have no elected board. In fact, charter schools are not accountable to any elected official. Period.

Each year, members of the General Assembly propose the expansion of charter schools, thereby attempting to displace locally elected boards of education.

Our political structure, our democratic traditions and our laws contemplate that the control of public schools should rest with the representative government elected by the local people. With each step we take towards state control of our schools, we widen the gap between the people served by local schools and the elected representatives who decide what is best for our kids. The concentration of power at the state level will only reduce our ability to respond to the needs of students and their parents.

It is time for state officials to return to our deeply rooted and cherished tradition of local control of public schools. Today’s students, parents, teachers and patrons deserve no less.

Duane Martin is the founder of EdCounsel LLC, a law firm that is exclusively dedicated to the representation of Missouri public school districts. He currently represents over 200 Missouri public schools.

Joplin R-8 reaches settlement in secretive lawsuit filed by "Mary Doe"

Lawyers representing the Joplin R-8 School District and a woman who suing the district have reached a settlement, but the entire case remains behind a veil of secrecy.

The first filing in the case, which is labeled "Mary Doe vs. Joplin School District" came on February 3 in Jasper County Circuit Court, is a petition to approve a settlement between the sides, but that petition and the nature of the case have been sealed, as well as the identity of the woman.

The woman's attorney, Daniel Graham Curry of the Kansas City law firm of Brown & Curry made the first filing confidential, according to online court records and three days after the initial filing entered a memorandum supporting keeping his client's confidentiality.

Online records indicate the school district has no problems with the arrangement.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. April 3 before Judge Joseph Hensley.

A Turner Report Sunshine Law request to the district for information on the settlement received the following response:

Mary Doe vs. Joplin School District is still pending, and the case is not disposed. Therefore, according to 610.021 RSMo. there are no settlement records to provide at this time.

 

Freeman official to Turner Report: Paula Baker continues to have "full trust and respect of board"

A Freeman Health tweet on Friday, later apparently deleted, refuted rumors by noting Paula Baker is still CEO.

The rumors are still circulating, so a Freeman official, with Baker's permission, told the Turner Report that not only is Baker still in charge but she "continues to operate with the full trust and respect of the Board of Directors."

The stories that have circulated across Joplin ran the gamut from a Thursday arrest, complete with handcuffs, to a firing (and there has been no evidence of either), but the Turner Report confirmed that Baker was on the job Friday.

Freeman has been under federal scrutiny. Though the FBI makes no comments on ongoing investigations, state health officials confirmed in November that Freeman was under a federal investigation in connection with a case in which a woman who was refused an emergency abortion at Freeman after her water broke only 18 weeks into her pregnancy. Federal law requires hospitals that participate in the Medicare program to provide care for patients in emergency situations.

That woman's story was featured in a political advertisement by unsuccessful Senate candidate Trudy Busch Valentine.

No other federal or state investigations have been confirmed.

Sources at Freeman told the Turner Report that things have been uncomfortable since three top officials, Carlos Haley, vice president and chief compliance officer, Matt Adrian, general counsel, and Ally Adrian departed in January, a departure that was announced in an e-mail to staff, (though not to all employees as incorrectly stated in the post), as well as some other recent departures.

Change of plea hearing scheduled on weapons charge for man with Joplin Honkies connection

 A change of plea hearing has been scheduled for a Joplin man on a federal firearms charge.

The hearing for Douglas Eugene Alexius, 46, charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. April 13 in U. S. District Court in Springfield.

According to his indictment, Alexius possessed a Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol October 9 in Newton County.

Online Newton County Circuit Court records indicate that was the day the Missouri State Highway Patrol cited Alexius for felony unlawful possession of a firearm, careless and imprudent driving involving an accident, failure to register a motor vehicle, failing to wear protective headgear while on a motorcycle and displaying the plates of another person.

The Highway Patrol accident report said Alexius was injured in a one-vehicle accident 1:25 a.m. on Greenwood Drive two miles southwest of Joplin.

According to the report, the 2002 Harley Davidson driven by Alexius skidded on the roadway and overturned. Alexius was treated for moderate injuries at Freeman West Hospital, Joplin.

Former Newton County Sheriff Ken Copeland said Alexius was a member of the Honkies after Alexius was arrested March 1, 2016 at 1174 Crane Drive, Joplin. At the time of his arrest, Alexius was wanted on numerous felony charges, including vehicle theft and assaulting a law enforcement officer.

Three years later in April 2019, FBI agents and Newton County deputies searched a pond at that location after uncovering evidence that linked that address to Sarah Burton, Joplin, who has been missing since July 16, 2018.

Watch live- Joplin R-8 Board of Education Candidate Forum live

 

Diversity initiatives within Missouri agencies run into GOP attack on ‘woke’ government

By Rebecca Rivas, Clara Bates and Annelise Hanshaw

Missouri Independent

High employee turnover has plagued Missouri’s Department of Social Services for years.

The department’s staffing woes have contributed to a range of problems — from foster children languishing in state care for longer than they should be to disabled residents waiting months to receive federal food benefits to investigators unable to keep up with child abuse and neglect complaints.

(Photo- State Rep. Doug Richey, R-Excelsior Springs, speaks during House debate on April 12, 2021- Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).

Gov. Mike Parson dispatched one of his top lieutenants — his former deputy chief of staff, Robert Knodell — to the agency in 2021 to address the long list of challenges, top among them employee morale and retention. In a November presentation to the governor’s cabinet, Knodell zeroed in on one retention measure he believes has proven especially promising.

The “Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging” group that the department formed in 2020.

According to Knodell’s presentation slides during the cabinet meeting, obtained by The Independent through a Sunshine Law request, more than 400 employees had participated in the focus groups as of November. Those who participated, Knodell said, were much less likely to leave their jobs.

“Turnover for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging focus group participants is LESS THAN HALF the Department-wide turnover rate,” one slide emphasized.

But the program, which one department employee called “groundbreaking,” now faces a new challenge: The GOP’s escalating war against “woke” government.

Earlier this month, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft tweeted that a job posting for a “diversity, inclusion and belonging leader” within the Missouri Department of Natural Resources was an example of “left-wing indoctrination in the workplace” and the wrong use of taxpayer dollars.

“It’s time to end ‘woke’ in government,” Ashcroft wrote.

Republican lawmakers have chimed in this month as well.

State Rep. Bishop Davidson, R-Republic, went on Facebook to decry inclusion meetings within the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development for “lacking transparency.” State Rep. Doug Richey, R-Excelsior Springs, advanced a bill out of committee last week that would prohibit public universities from soliciting diversity, equity or inclusion (DEI) statements when hiring.

And the GOP criticism is having an impact. The University of Missouri System announced Friday that its four campuses are scrapping the mention of DEI statements in their job posts, in response to Richey’s bill.

State department leaders are desperately trying to fill thousands of vacant positions in areas such as mental health, social services, corrections and education. These are also the departments that house Missouri’s largest minority workforce, and some agency leaders have found that making these workers feel welcomed in a white-dominated state government actually helps retain them.

Yet hearing the GOP rhetoric against these efforts is discouraging to minority workers, said Natashia Pickens, president of the Communications Workers of America Local 6355.

The union represents Knodell’s employees in the social services agency, as well as those with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

“It’s put a lot of fear in workers,” Pickens said. “They’re like, ‘If they get rid of these programs, they’re not going to keep Black people. They’re not going to keep LGBTQ people.’”

Not only do the inclusion programs help workers feel welcomed, Pickens said, but they also give them visibility for promotions – something she said minority employees statewide have long struggled to land.

Ending the programs will further the delays in connecting the state’s most vulnerable populations with food, health care and other services, she said. And while she believes pay increases will help ease staffing shortages, the anti-DEI rhetoric could counteract that.

“Killing those programs is not going to help with retention,” Pickens said. “And what that’s going to do is put more work on the backs of the workers that do remain.”

"A right to belong"

A supervisor in DSS’ Family Support Division told The Independent in an interview that the focus group has been important to creating a sense of belonging among her team of 55 workers. She participated in the program but asked not to be identified publicly for fear of political attacks for her involvement.

“I am sad that people want to politicize it,” said the woman who identifies as white and lives in a Republican-leaning county. “I don’t care what side of the aisle anyone sits on, we should all have the right to feel like we belong.”

Especially through the pandemic, she said she “completely believes” that it is helping DSS with retention because employees feel like “they can be heard.”

 

“In these focus groups, we’ve had people share everything from a fear of coming back into the office to maybe other things that they’ve gone through,” she said. “And to know that your peers are feeling similar, I think that’s a big help for staff.”

She said the group emphasizes belonging.

“Nobody is telling you to change your beliefs,” she said. “No one’s trying to push their beliefs on you. It’s just about making everybody feel they’re a part of the group. And we all have a right to be different.”

The effort also helps her team understand the perspectives and needs of their diverse clients as well, she said.

Despite pushback from Republican elected officials, Knodell said in a statement to The Independent that the department is committed to the initiative.

The department has also adopted training on diversity, inclusion, and belonging — over 3,000 employees “completed portions of the curriculum” in fiscal 2022, per Knodell’s presentation — as well as adopting a “heritage calendar highlighting focus area of belonging and inclusion,” and a “day of remembrance” to mark staff lost since 2020.

“Groupthink, strategic missteps and bloated bureaucracy are the results of organizations that fail to inclusively consider needs of customers and staff,” Knodell said, “or misuse initiatives to advance an ideological agenda.”

Pickens said she’s confused about what Republican leaders mean when they use the term “woke” in relation to these efforts.

“I have no idea what they mean by it,” she said.

Ban on DEI statements

The House’s special committee on government accountability recently approved a bill that seeks to bar public universities from giving preferential treatment based on DEI statements.

Richey, the bill sponsor, said he consulted the Cicero Institute, a Texas-based conservative think tank, when crafting the bill. But his definition of “diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging” is his own, he said.

The bill defines it as “any administrative, ideological, or programmatic effort or perspective that requires applicants to promote or support the idea that disparities are necessarily tied to oppression, involves collective guilt ideologies, and emphasizes the importance of activism and structural reforms based upon intersectional, divisive, or political identities.”

Richey said no one is against diversity, but accused DEI initiatives of being politically charged.

“We all understand that the terms individually of diversity, equity, and inclusion can mean a whole host of things depending on the context — most of which none of us in this room would have a problem with,” he said last week. “However, when you put them together programmatically, and the way in which they have been in our current landscape, that’s when you begin to see ideology taking over that is very divisive.”

Last week, the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development responded to an anonymous letter released by someone claiming to be a department employee complaining about that voluntary diversity meetings for staff members weren’t recorded and were part of the “woke” agenda.

The letter was posted online by Davidson, who echoed a similar sentiment as Richey, saying the “diversity,” “equity,” “inclusion,” and “belonging,” together are politically charged and politically motivated.

The department responded to Davidson in a letter, stating that the discussions and best practices shared in diversity sessions help better position team members to meet those needs of “hard-to-reach populations.”

“To reach marginalized populations, a better understanding of the hardships and barriers they may experience is imperative,” Leroy Wade, interim commissioner of the higher education and workforce department, said in a letter to Davidson.

Davidson could not be reached for comment.

Not time to throw in the towel

Diversity officers are not new to Missouri government.

The state’s Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) has been around since 1994 to recruit and retain a diverse workforce.

 

“Diversity drives innovation,” Chris Moreland, spokesman for the Office of Administration, the agency that oversees the OEO, said in a statement to The Independent. “All team members should feel that their contributions and opinions are valued. In turn, by striving to foster an environment where our team members feel respected and valued, the state can attract and retain top talent in our workforce.”

The office produces reports on its minority workforce annually, and there has been a slight decrease since 2020. The Kansas City Star reported last week that many state agencies are far less racially and ethnically diverse than the state as a whole.

It’s a pattern that the OEO has documented for the past two decades, since the office began its annual reports. Those reports also show that Missouri has only met its minority participation goal for state contracts four times in the last 30 years.

And while the state has long struggled to move the needle on increasing workforce diversity, Pickens says now is definitely not the time to throw in the towel.

“Before the pandemic, work was hard,” Pickens said. “But since the pandemic, the job responsibilities have changed. The way we do the work has changed. It’s a very different environment.”

The programs are helping the workers come together to cope with the difficult past few years of the pandemic and become stronger, she said.

“Anything that will help boost morale and make folks feel good about coming into work,” Pickens said, “I don’t think is a waste of taxpayer money.”

Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo, D-Independence, said diversity and inclusion are coming under GOP attacks as the next phase of a constant and shifting culture war waged purely for political gain.

After scoring points by targeting transgender kids with legislation taking away access to gender-affirming care, Rizzo said, Republicans appear ready for a new boogeyman.

“They’ve already moved on to the diversity stuff,” he said. “You can already see, it’s coming from Washington and they’re starting to target diversity positions in government or even in business. The fear mongering doesn’t stop.”

The Independent’s Jason Hancock contributed to this report.

Carthage R-9 Board accepts 12 teacher resignations, hires three teachers

(From Carthage R-9 School District)

The Carthage R-9 Board of Education met in regular session on Thursday, March 16, 2023, 6:00 pm, at Carthage Intermediate Center. Present were Board members Niki Cloud, Bill Lasley, Karen Wilkinson, Jeff Jones, Patrick Scott, and Ryan Collier. Nathan Terry was absent. 

Carthage Intermediate Center Fourth and Fifth grade students, Bekham Cupp, Paxton Atnip, Beau Cornett, and Radyn Roughton led the Pledge of Allegiance. CIC singers comprised of Fourth and Fifth grade choir students provided a cheerful song under the direction of vocal music teacher Mrs. Carly Myers and Mr. Kolby Sowell. 

The Board approved the Consent Agen da for the purpose of approving the meeting agenda, minutes of previous meeting, payment of bills, district financial report, and establish nonresident tuition rates for the 2023-2024 school year. 

Ms. Jana Sawyer, Director of Language Programs, provided and evaluative report on Language Services, Missouri School Improvement Program Area TL7 and EA4. The district is creating language-rich classrooms at all levels and implementing systems of support to ensure success for all students. Training is provided to help teachers analyze assessment data and target instruction for students who are still learning English. EL staff members work alongside classroom teachers to model effective instructional methods. 

Dr. Scott Ragsdale provided information regarding 2023 summer school. Kindergarten through eighth grade summer school will take place Tuesday, May 30th – Monday, June 26th. Students who will be in K-3rd grade for the 2023-2024 school year will attend at Columbian Elementary, Fairview Elementary, and Steadley Elementary. Students who will be in 4th or 5th grade for the 2023-2024 school year will attend at Carthage Intermediate Center. Students who will be in 6th – 8th grade for the 2023-2024 school year will attend at Carthage 6th Grade Center. Bus transportation and breakfast and lunch will be provided free to all students. 

High School summer school will take place Tuesday, May 30th – Tuesday, June 27th at Carthage High School with breakfast and lunch provided free to all students. Additional information can be found on the Carthage R-9 School District website under the summer school tab. 

Dr. Matt Huntley, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, presented the Carthage R-9 School District 2022 MSIP 6 Annual Performance Report. The 2022 APR included points from both performance and continuous improvement standards. Carthage R-9 School District earned 71.3% points in performance, 98.1% in continuous improvement, and an overall score of 79%. 

Dr. Huntley discussed academic achievement status and growth along with iReady Mid-Year Assessments, iReady comparison, and demographic comparisons. 

Mr. Jones provided a Carthage R-9 School Foundation update regarding the Boylan Art Contest, Flannigan Speech Contest, and the upcoming scholarship award night. Dr. Baker provided information regarding the upcoming April 4, 2023, election and the PAC and baseball stadium bond issue. 

Dr. Baker updated the Board regarding the following: 

• Spring activities are taking place with practices starting this month and games/meets start next week. Band, Choir, and Speech/Debate are participating in competitions. 

• Election day is Tuesday, April 4, 2023, three open Board of Education seats with Karen Wilkinson, Jeff Jones, Lora Phelps, and Patrick Scott running as candidates and the PAC and baseball stadium bond issue. 

• Fourth quarter for the 2022-2023 school year started this week, MAP/EOC testing is getting closer, and spring break is March 20th – 24th . 

• April Board Meeting is Monday, April 17, at Sixth Grade Center and graduation is eight weeks away! 

The Board met in closed session immediately following the regular meeting to discuss legal, personnel, student matters, and evaluative personnel reports in compliance with Section 610.021 (1), (3), (6), 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, substitute, and extra duty 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 

Luis Tovar, AEL Instructor (Part Time)Tech Center - North Modification Evening Position

Mr. Tovar has a Master’s degree from Corporacion universitaria del caribe CECAR and Masters in Teaching English, Universidad Internacional Iberoamericana UNINI. Thirteen years of teaching elementary science EFL-ESL-ESOL, and Spanish. He is currently a dual language teacher at the CIC.

 

William Carter, English Teacher Carthage High School New Hire

Mr. Carter graduated from Missouri Southern State University in May of 2020 with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. He has been teaching English III and AP English Language and Composition at McDonald County since 2020.

Kaylee Washburn, Marketing Teacher Tech Center - South New Hire 

Ms. Washburn graduated from Missouri Southern State University in 2013 with a Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies. She has been working for Zimmer Radio, Inc (Marketing) since 2010 as an On-Air Personality and Broadcast Specialist. 

Support Hire 

Donna Platko, Personal paraprofessional (Part Time) Early Childhood Center New Hire 

Landon Smith, Custodian Carthage Junior High New Hire 

Donald Manka, Bus Driver Transportation Modification Full time sub at Columbian 

Cindi Prothro, Bus Driver Transportation Modification Teacher at South Tech 

Basilia Hernandez, Cook Carthage High School Modification Moving from sub to permanent 

Substitute Hire

Maggie Klinnert, Substitute District New Hire 

Rileigh Veale, Substitute District New Hire 

Rebecca Cook, Substitute District New Hire 

Elijah Nord, Bus Driver Transportation New Hire Substitute 

Dr. Thomas Moore, Substitute District New Hire 

Shandy Wilson, Substitute District New Hire 

Bailey Comer, Substitute District New Hire 

Kelsey Moss, Substitute District New Hire 

Paola Trujillo, Substitute District New Hire 

Kadie Henderson, Substitute District New Hire 

Extra Duty Hire 

Mackenzie Hoenshell, Junior High Cheer Coach Carthage Junior High School New Hire 2023-2024 School Year 

Certified Resignation 

Chelsey Abbott, 3rd Grade Teacher Steadley Elementary Resignation End of 2022- 2023 

Katie Coen, Instructional Interventionist Carthage Junior High School ResignationEnd of 2022- 2023 Ronna Patterson, English Teacher Carthage High School Resignation End of 2022- 2023 

Quincy Jones, Social Studies Teacher Carthage High School Resignation End of 2022- 2023 

Gay Vinson, AP/DC English Teacher Carthage High School Resignation End of 2022- 2023 

Danielle Derfelt, 1st Grade Teacher Columbian Elementary Resignation End of 2022- 2023 

Ashlyn Pope, Ashlyn 1st Grade Teacher Mark Twain Elementary Resignatio nEnd of 2022- 2023 

Logan Wilson, Social Studies Teacher Carthage High School Resignation End of 2022- 2023 

Dianne Ray, Chemistry Teacher Carthage High School Resignation End of 2022- 2023 

Elizabeth Dubois, Science Teacher Carthage Junior High School Resignation End of 2022- 2023 

Kalissa Taylor, 1st Grade Teacher Steadley Elementary Resignation End of 2022- 2023 

Brady Bridges, Business Teacher Tech Center - South Resignation End of 2022- 2023 

Support Resignation 

Dakota Sisseck, Paraprofessional Columbian Elementary Resignation 

Devaney Masoner, Cook Carthage Intermediate Center Resignation 

Lyle Ferguson, Bus Driver Transportation Resignation 

Richard Lambeth, Bus Aide Transportation Resignation 

Kassidey Borland, Paraprofessional 6th Grade Center Resignation 

Extra Duty Resignation 

Jacob Endicott, Jr High Assistant Football Coach Carthage Junior High School Resignation 

Katie Coen, HS Assistant Cross Country Coach Carthage High School Resignation 

Brooklyn (Coy) Bade Assistant VB Coach Carthage High School Resignation 

Quincy Jones, Assistant Track Coach Carthage High School Resignation

Mike Moon: SAFE Act passes the Senate

(From Sen. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove)

Only seven full weeks remain in the First Regular Session of the 102nd General Assembly. It won’t be long before a flurry of action in the House and Senate takes place. 

Legislators are often told that unless they find a “vehicle” (another bill) to attach their bill to, it likely won’t pass. Historically, more bills are passed during the last two to four weeks than any other time in the session. 

As a result, the Missouri Constitution is often violated during this time period (because the sentiment is that “this important bill must be passed” and if attaching it to another bill is the only way to get in done, even if it is contrary to the Constitution, that’s okay).

The S.A.F.E. act

Senate Bill (SB) 49 was taken up again (for the third time) and passed out of the Senate. Following an approximately 15-hour filibuster, the bill received a vote of 24 – 8. I was given the assurance that the entire Republican caucus supported the bill at least two weeks ago, so it was not surprise to see the final tally.

I’m not certain about this, however, due to some significant changes in bill co-sponsorship procedures, SB 49 may have set a MO Senate record with 18 bill co-sponsors.

Many have congratulated me on the bill passing the senate. While I’m grateful for the outpouring of encouragement, I will not accept the credit. Twenty-four senators voted for the bill and 24 senators deserve the credit. In case you’re not aware, here’s the list:

Jason Beck
Mike Bernskoetter
Rusty Black
Rick Brattin
Ben Brown
Justin Brown
Jill Carter
Mike Cierpiot
Mary Elizabeth Coleman
Sandy Crawford
Bill Eigel
Karla Eslinger
Travis Fitzwater
Elaine Gannon
Denny Hoskins
Lincoln Hough
Andrew Koenig
Tony Luetkemeyer
Cindy O’Laughlin
Holly Rehder
Caleb Rowden
Nick Schroer
Curtis Trent

What’s Next for SB 49

Immediately following the 3rd Read vote in the Senate, SB 49 was sent to the House where it was First Read. It will be eligible for the Second Reading tomorrow. The bill could be referred to a committee the same day. Then, a hearing can be scheduled, followed by a “do pass” motion and vote the following week. The next step would send the bill to a Rules committee. If it receives a majority vote, it would be sent back to the Speaker to be placed on the calendar. Then, a Perfection debate would typically be followed by a voice vote. Afterward, a day later, if no changes are made to the bill, it could be Truly Agreed and Finally Passed, before being sent to the Governor for his signature.

All this could be completed within one week. Realistically, though, it will likely take a bit longer.