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2025-26 Carthage BOE Press Releases
2025-26 Carthage BOE Press Releases
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Carthage R-9 School District
Board of Education Press Release
July 2, 2025
The Carthage R-9 Board of Education met in special session on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, 5:00 pm, at the Carthage R-9 District Administrative Office. 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.
Dr. Luke Boyer, Superintendent, provided to the Board information regarding the corrected extra-duty stipends for the 2025-2026 school year.
Dr. Holley Goodnight, Assistant Superintendent for Business, provided the Board information regarding the contract for Crossland Construction (Construction Manager) for the construction of the Carthage PAC.
Dr. Goodnight provided the Board information regarding the purchase of a 2026 Blue Bird Vision 47 passenger school bus.
The Board met in closed session immediately following the regular meeting to discuss real estate and personnel matters in compliance with Section 610.021 (1) and (3) of the Revised Statutes of Missouri.
In closed session the Board approved the following personnel action:
Approved the employment of certified 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:
Earl, Melissa – 2nd Grade Teacher (PSRS Critical Shortage) – Steadley Elementary
Earl, Melissa, 2nd Grade teacher, Steadley Elementary – Mrs. Earl is a retired educator with many years of experience in Jasper Schools. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Missouri Southern State University and a Master’s degree from Pittsburg State University, both in Education.
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Carthage R-9 School District
Board of Education Press Release
July 21, 2025
The Carthage R-9 Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, July 21, 2025, 6:00 pm, at the Carthage South Technical Center – Community Room. Present were Board members Mr. Ryan Collier, Mrs. Lora Phelps, Dr. Mark Westhoff, Mr. Jeff Jones, Ms. Maria Sanchez, and Mr. Patrick Scott. Ms. Niki Cloud was absent.
Mr. Ryan Collier led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Board approved the Consent Agenda for the purpose of approving the meeting agenda, minutes of previous meetings, payment of bills, district financial report, and set date for tax rate hearing.
Ms. Maria Sanchez provided a Carthage R-9 School Foundation update stating scholarships and major saver campaigns for the 202 5-2026 school year are being worked on.
Dr. Matt Huntley, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, provided the Board information regarding the request for adoption of the professional development handbook for the 2025-2026 school year.
Dr. Holley Goodnight, Assistant Superintendent for Business, provided the Board information regarding facility use priority and fee structure for their review and consideration of approval at the August 18, 2025 board meeting.
Dr. Luke Boyer, Superintendent, spoke regarding the proposed purchase agreement authorizing the purchase of real estate. Mr. Collier read to the Board a “Public Disclosure of Conflict of Interest” provided by Board Member, Lora Phelps, in regards to agenda item “Consider Proposed Purchase Agreement Authorizing the Purchase of Real Estate”. The Public Disclosure of Conflict of Interest stated the following and is signed by Lora Phelps:
“July 21, 2025, Public Disclosure of Conflict of Interest, To Carthage R-9 Board of Education: My name is Lora Phelps, and I am the Secretary for the Carthage R-9 School Board. The Carthage R-9 School Board has proposed to purchase a parcel of 25 acres owned by the William Phelps Family Trust, located at 1210 East Airport Drive in Carthage, Missouri, for a sale price of $400,000. The trust belongs to my husband, William (Bill) Phelps, and I am a contingent beneficiary of the trust. The Board plans to discuss and vote on this matter during its meeting on July 21, 2025. Because my husband and I have a financial interest in the sale of the property, I will recuse myself from any discussion or vote related to the Board’s decision of whether or not to purchase the property.”
Mr. William (Bill) Phelps and Mrs. Lora Phelps excused themselves from the board meeting.
Dr. Luke Boyer and the Board reviewed and discussed the real estate purchase. Dr. Boyer asked the board to consider the purchase of the parcel of 25 acres owned by the William Phelps Family Trust, located at 1210 East Airport Drive in Carthage, Missouri, for the sum of $400,000 and authorize administration to proceed with the preparation of documents to complete the real estate purchase.
Mr. William (Bill) Phelps and Mrs. Lora Phelps returned to the board meeting.
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 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:
Hernandez Pelico, Lilian: Cook – Sixth Grade Center – New Hire
Samuelson, Caelyn: Marketing Intern – Carthage Tech Center – South – New Hire
Foster, Holliday: Sped Paraprofessional – Steadley Elementary – New Hire
Miller, Anthony: Bus Driver – Transportation – New Hire
Brinkhoff, Jonathan: Sped Paraprofessional – Carthage High School – New Hire
Hole, Kayla: Title 1 Instructional Assistant – Steadley Elementary – New Hire
O'Brien, Abigail: Cook – Carthage Junior High School – New Hire
Lopez, Veylin: Cook – Sixth Grade Center – New Hire
Edwards, Michele: Sped Paraprofessional – Columbian Elementary – New Hire
Sisseck, Dakota: Sped Paraprofessional – Columbian Elementary – Re-Hire
Thomas, Kimberly: Cook – Pleasant Valley Elementary – New Hire
Middleton, Dawna: Tiger Prep Paraprofessional – Columbian Elementary – New Hire
Ladd, Sky: Choir Accompanist – Carthage Junior High School – New Hire
Lopez, Claudia: Cook – Carthage Junior High School – New Hire
Etcheson, Amilia: Cook – Carthage High School – New Hire
Ruth, Savannah: Sped Paraprofessional – Columbian Elementary – New Hire
Patterson, Ronna: PAT Screener – Parents As Teachers – Re-Hire
Harmon, Taylor: Cook – Carthage Junior High School – New Hire
Caddick, Jeremy: Bus Driver – Transportation – New Hire
Substitute Hire:
Berg, Darryl: Substitute – District – Re-Hire
Support Transfer:
Mankin, Ryan: Sped Paraprofessional – Carthage Junior High School – Transfer
Barnett, Karley: Sped Paraprofessional – Carthage Junior High School – Transfer
Gazaway, Calvin: Full Time Substitute – Sixth Grade Center – Transfer
Smith, Brooklyn: Sped Paraprofessional – Carthage Junior High School – Transfer
Daniel, Dawn: Paraprofessional – Fairview Elementary – Transfer
Support Modification:
Greer, April: Bus Driver – Transportation – Modification
Collier, Grant: Sped Paraprofessional – Carthage Intermediate Center – Modification
Gilreath, Michael: Summer Custodian – District – Modification
Dietz, Michael: Bus Driver – Transportation – Modification
Davis, Galen: Bus Driver – Transportation – Modification
Justice, Heather: Sped Paraprofessional – Early Childhood – Modification
Nord, Jennifer: Kitchen Manager – Carthage Junior High School – Modification
Lombard, Caleb: Bus Driver – Transportation – Modification
Crocker, Cary: EL Paraprofessional (PT) – Carthage Junior High School – Modification
Approved resignation from employment of certified and support staff as presented.
Certified Resignation:
Higgs, Nicola: 5th Grade Teacher – Carthage Intermediate Center – Resignation
Resignation Support:
Blankenship, Paige: Student Worker – District Office – Resignation
Silvers, Kristen: Cook Resignation – Columbian Elementary – Resignation
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Carthage R-9 School District
Board of Education Press Release
August 18, 2025
The Carthage R-9 Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, August 18, 2025, 6:18 pm, at the Carthage South Technical Center – Community Room. Present were Board members Ms. Niki Cloud, Mr. Ryan Collier, Dr. Mark Westhoff, Ms. Maria Sanchez, and Mr. Patrick Scott. Mrs. Lora Phelps and Mr. Jeff Jones were absent.
The Board approved the Consent Agenda for the purpose of approving the meeting agenda, minutes of previous meeting, payment of bills, and district financial report.
Ms. Maria Sanchez provided a Carthage R-9 School Foundation update stating the major saver campaigns for the 2025-2026 school year are being worked on.
Dr. Holley Goodnight, Assistant Superintendent for Business, provided the Board information regarding the request for approval of the facility use priority and fee structure.
Mr. Bryan Shallenburger, Director of Special Services, provided the Board information regarding the special education compliance plan.
Dr. Matt Huntley, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, provided the Board information regarding the 2025-2026 district assessment plan.
Dr. Goodnight provided the Board information regarding the Missouri State Highway annual bus inspection report.
Dr. Goodnight provided the Board information regarding the renewal of the districts cyber insurance.
Dr. Luke Boyer, Superintendent, provided the Board information regarding the FY25 final budget.
Dr. Boyer provided the Board information regarding P2656 and P4506.
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:
Boyd, Spencer
5th Grade ELA and Dual-Language Teacher
Carthage Intermediate Center
New Hire
Copsey, Kyle
Computer Science/IT Instructor
Carthage Technical Center
New Hire
Boyd, Spencer, 5th Grade ELA and Dual-Language Teacher, Carthage Intermediate Center – Mr. Boyd has a strong background in education, sales, and business. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Missouri–Kansas City.
Copsey, Kyle, Computer Science/IT Instructor, Carthage Technical Center – Mr. Copsey has a strong background in the computer science field. He has obtained two Associates Degrees from Crowder College and Linn State Technical College in Digital Communications Systems and Telecommunications Engineering Technology, respectively.
Support Hire:
Shephard, Kaylee
Sped Paraprofessional
Columbian Elementary
New Hire
Stinson, Shayla
Bus Driver
Transportation
New Hire
Gans, Lenneeaa
Kitchen Manager
Carthage Intermediate Center
New Hire
Peterson, Linda
Sped Paraprofessional
Steadley Elementary
New Hire
Short, Kayla
EL Paraprofessional
Carthage High School
New Hire
Harris, Ricky
Custodian
Carthage High School
New Hire
Toft, Shelly
Temporary Payroll Coordinator
Administration Building
New Hire
Baxter, Wren
Cook
Columbian Elementary
New Hire
Verderosa, Yvonne
Sped Paraprofessional
Early Childhood
New Hire
Tandy, Kelli
Bus Aide
Transportation
New Hire
Substitute Hire:
Bogle, Virginia
Substitute
District
Re-Hire
Kubicek, Taylor
Substitute
District
New Hire
Lombard, Brenda
Substitute Bus Aide
Transportation
Re-Hire
Reasoner, Mary
Substitute
District
New Hire
Ramirez, Axl
Substitute
District
New Hire
Ogle, Holly
Substitute
District
Re-Hire
Hensley, Nikki
Substitute
District
New Hire
Starchman, Jennifer
Substitute
District
Re-Hire
Rebolledo, Milca
Substitute
District
New Hire
Certified Transfer:
Rhea, Kimberly
Visually Impaired Teacher
Carthage Intermediate Center
Transfer
Ryan, Megan
Speech Language Pathologist
Columbian Elementary
Transfer
Support Transfer:
Wilson, James
Head Custodian
Fairview Elementary
Transfer
Goettel-Clements, Kendra
Sped Paraprofessional
Carthage High School
Transfer
Williams, Ashton
Sped Paraprofessional
Carthage High School
Transfer
Gonzalez Garza, Odilia
EL Paraprofessional
Carthage High School
Modification
Trujillo, Paola
EC Paraprofessional
Pleasant Valley Elementary
Modification
Brown, Julie
Tiger Prep Paraprofessional
Fairview Elementary
Modification
Approved resignation from employment of certified and support staff as presented.
Certified Resignation:
Roby, Trent
Computer Science/IT Teacher
Carthage Technical Center
Resignation
Cook, Alyssa
Sub Cook
District
Resignation
Higgins, Diana
Bus Driver
Transportation
Resignation
Lybarger, April
Paraprofessional
Early Childhood Center
Resignation
Miller, Anthony
Bus Driver
Transportation
Resignation
Woodward, Ashley
Cook
Carthage Intermediate Center
Resignation
Harris,Jake
IT Tech (Part Time)
Technology
Resignation
Newcomb, Landon
IT Tech (Summer Intern)
Technology
Resignation
Honaker, Zia
IT Tech (Summer Intern)
Technology
Resignation
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Carthage R-9 School District
Board of Education Press Release
August 18, 2025
Tax Rate Hearing
The Carthage R-9 Board of Education met in the tax rate hearing on Monday, August 18, 2025, 6:00 pm, at the Carthage South Technical Center – Community Room. Present were Board members Ms. Niki Cloud, Mr. Ryan Collier, Dr. Mark Westhoff, Ms. Maria Sanchez, and Mr. Patrick Scott. Mrs. Lora Phelps and Mr. Jeff Jones were absent.
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 2025-2026 including Incidental Fund $3.6000 and Debt Service Fund $0.8300 totaling at $4.4300.
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Carthage R-9 School District
Board of Education Press Release
September 15, 2025
The Carthage R-9 Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, September 15, 2025, 6:00 pm, at the Carthage South Technical Center – Community Room. Present were Board members Mr. Ryan Collier, Mrs. Lora Phelps, Dr. Mark Westhoff, Mr. Jeff Jones, and Ms. Maria Sanchez. Ms. Niki Cloud and Mr. Patrick Scott were absent.
Mr. Ryan Collier led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Carthage High School students, Mr. John Satterfield and Ms. River McCahon provided a speech and debate presentation.
The Board approved the Consent Agenda for the purpose of approving the meeting agenda, minutes of previous tax rate hearing and open session meeting, payment of bills, and district financial report.
Mrs. Crystal Brown, Carthage R-9 Foundation Director, provided a Carthage R-9 School Foundation update stating the major saver card campaign is kicking off. The foundation and school district have partnered together for the Carthage Legacy Campaign – Raise the Curtain, for the new auditorium on the Carthage High School campus.
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 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:
Peoples, Caitlyn
Cook
Carthage Intermediate Center
New Hire
Hamilton, Lucy
Sped Paraprofessional
Columbian Elementary
New Hire
Teed, Courtney
Sped Paraprofessional
Fairview Elementary
New Hire
Olsen, Elijah
Custodian
Carthage High School
New Hire
Ockert, Eric
Custodian
Carthage High School
New Hire
Haag, Aireana
Sped Paraprofessional
Sixth Grade Center
New Hire
Schmelzer, Landon
IT Student Intern
Technology
New Hire
Osborne, Haysia
Student Intern
Bright Futures
New Hire
Percy, Myra
Sped Paraprofessional
Sixth Grade Center
New Hire
Brammer, Carter
IT Student Intern
Technology
New Hire
Gonzalez Bizarro, Cristian
Home School Liaison
Fairview Elementary
New Hire
Substitute Hire:
Arndt, Shawn
Bus Driver
Transportation
New Hire
Calhoon, Dianna (Annie)
Substitute
District
Re-Hire
Divine, Savannah
Substitute
District
New Hire
Sater, James
Bus Driver
Transportation
New Hire
Ducotem, Benedict
Bus Aide
Transportation
Re-Hire
Lindsey, Sylvia
Substitute
District
Re-Hire
Do, Mai
Substitute
District
New Hire
Carmickle, Logan
Substitute
District
New Hire
Jones, Wyatt
Custodian
District
Re-Hire
Pendergraft, Abigail
Substitute
District
New Hire
Support Transfer:
Smothers, Brycen
Custodian
Steadley Elementary
Transfer
Sonnier, Damariz
Sped Paraprofessional
Columbian Elementary
Transfer
Approved retirement and resignation from employment of certified, support, and substitute staff as presented.
Certified Retirement:
Coble, Wayne
Science/PLTW Teacher
Carthage Sixth Grade Center
Retirement
End of 2025-2026 school year
Jones, Luke
Summer Intern
IT Department
Resignation
Clark, Tucker
Summer Intern
IT Department
Resignation
Williams, Grant
Summer Intern
IT Department
Resignation
Vaughan, Amber
Cook
Fairview Elementary
Resignation
Teed, Madelynn
Sped Paraprofessional
Columbian Elementary
Resignation
Heholt, Sarah
Sped Paraprofessional
Columbian Elementary
Resignation
Substitute Resignation:
Harris, Lori
Substitute Cook
District
Resignation
Borchgardt, Kelly
Substitute Cook
District
Resignation
Dority, Randy
Substitute
District
Resignation
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Carthage R-9 School District
Board of Education Press Release
October 20, 2025
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Carthage R-9 School District
Board of Education Press Release
November 17, 2025
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Carthage R-9 School District
Board of Education Press Release
December 15, 2025
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Carthage R-9 School District
Board of Education Press Release
January 20, 2026
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Carthage R-9 School District
Board of Education Press Release
February 17, 2026
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Carthage R-9 School District
Board of Education Press Release
March 23, 2026
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Carthage R-9 School District
Board of Education Press Release
April 20, 2026
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Carthage R-9 School District
Board of Education Press Release
May 18, 2026
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Carthage R-9 School District
Board of Education Press Release
June 15, 2026