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Carthage R-9

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2025-26 Carthage BOE Press Releases

2025-26 Carthage BOE Press Releases

  • 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. 

  • 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 

  • 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

     

    Support Modification:

    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

     

     

     

    Support 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

     

     

  • 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.

  • Carthage R-9 School District

    Board of Education Press Release

    September 15, 2025

  • Carthage R-9 School District

    Board of Education Press Release

    October 20, 2025

  • Carthage R-9 School District

    Board of Education Press Release

    November 17, 2025

  • Carthage R-9 School District

    Board of Education Press Release

    December 15, 2025

  • Carthage R-9 School District

    Board of Education Press Release

    January 20, 2026

  • Carthage R-9 School District

    Board of Education Press Release

    February 17, 2026

  • Carthage R-9 School District

    Board of Education Press Release

    March 23, 2026

  • Carthage R-9 School District

    Board of Education Press Release

    April 20, 2026

  • Carthage R-9 School District

    Board of Education Press Release

    May 18, 2026

  • Carthage R-9 School District

    Board of Education Press Release

    June 15, 2026