Knox County R-I Board Approves Facility Plan, Curriculum, and Staffing for 2025–2026

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EDINA, Mo. (May 20, 2025) — The Knox County R-I Board of Education approved a series of staffing changes, curriculum additions, and facility improvements during its regular and executive session meetings Tuesday evening.

Among the actions taken, the board accepted the resignations of Lacy Hayes, a classified employee, and Dawn Llewellyn, a certified teacher. Both resignations are effective at the conclusion of the 2024–2025 school year.

In other personnel business, the board approved employment for dozens of positions, including teachers, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, summer workers, clerical staff, and support roles for the upcoming school year. Two new teaching contracts were issued to Jennifer Parrish and Jessica Penn.

Superintendent-elect Alex Van Delft presented the district’s Facilities Improvement Plan, which the board approved unanimously. Van Delft also outlined scheduled summer projects and shared updates on legislative issues, school events, and a recent visit from Missouri’s commissioner of education.

The board adopted revised salary schedules for support staff and extra duty roles, including pay increases for cooks and paraprofessionals to comply with state minimum wage laws. Extra duty pay steps were extended up to 20 years.

New courses approved for 2025–2026 include Crop Science/Biotechnology, Exploratory Agriculture, Business Café, Computer Science, 3D Modeling and Animation, and Esports at the middle and high school levels.

Also approved was a Career Ladder Plan, aimed at expanding opportunities for teachers and students. The program is 60% funded by the state.

The board reviewed and formally adopted a large set of updated board policies and regulations, including financial and facility management procedures.

 

Knox County R-I Staffing Actions

Resignations Accepted
Lacy Hayes – Classified staff (effective end of 2024–2025)
Dawn Llewellyn – Certified teaching staff (effective end of 2024–2025)

New Certified Staff Hired
Jennifer Parrish – Teaching contract for 2025–2026
Jessica Penn – Teaching contract for 2025–2026

Summer School Staff
Conner Hayes – Paraprofessional
Dwayne Waller – Paraprofessional

Student & Substitute Positions
Donovan Dooley – 2025 summer worker
Debbie Peters – Substitute teacher (2025–2026)

Support Staff
Alicia Myers, Sherri Mauck, Gale Hustead – Clerical
Lacy Hayes – Secretary/Bookkeeper
Kathy Davis, Alicia Berry, Deb Campbell – Food Service
Joseph Holman – Bus Mechanic
Mark Cardwell – Full-time substitute bus driver
Rhonda Cardwell, Terry Callahan, Gaylynn Perry, David Poston,
Cathy McCallum, Alan Morgret, Dean Woods, Tyler Doss,
Steve Peters, Beth Russell – Bus Drivers

Technology Department
Ginnie Scoggin – Technology Assistant
Steve Blodgett – Technology Coordinator

Maintenance & Custodial
Gary Mayer – Maintenance Director
Pam Ausmus, Scherry Hamlin, Madeline Winter, Jason Barnhill – Support staff

Health Services
Sarah Rimer – School Nurse

Paraprofessionals
21 staff employed including Janee Morgret, Andrea Hamilton,
Rhonda Burton, Jessica Cardwell, Genel Ellison, Emily Prebe,
Robin Golden, Gracie Hunziker, Helen Hettinger, Dawn McCauley,
Brooke Miller, Diane Morrow, Amy Watts, Megan Western,
Katie Dixson, Chrissy Green, Brittany Harsell, Karen Lair,
Sherry Goodwin, Conner Hayes, and Dwayne Waller

Other Hires
Cara Wallace – Speech-Language Pathologist (contracted)
Roberta Penn – Parents as Teachers
Joanie Baker – Adult Ag Advisor (contingent on state funding)

Extra Duty Assignments
Roles approved for 2025–2026 include:

Keith Gudehus – District Safety Coordinator
Kayleigh Fogle – Behavior Analyst
Kisha Goodwin – Bus Manager
Rebecca Penn – Assistant FFA Advisor, HS Assistant Softball
Hays Klocke, Nathan Miller – Softball Coaches
Skyler Sullens – MS Boys Basketball
Bruce Vannoy, David Cameron – Field Maintenance
Lorrie Ellison, Laura Greenley – Student Council/Senior Class Sponsors