By Linda Bolton linda@mckeniebanner.com

Richard Welch

The former Southern Scientic building in McKenzie is being renovated by Nashville investor Dr. Joseph Morris.
 

MCKENZIE - Dr. Joseph Morris of Nashville, a developer and Wall Street investor, recently acquired ownership of the former Southern Scientific building on Euclid Avenue in McKenzie. The building is currently undergoing a major renovation and is expected to be marketed later in the year as an industrial facility or warehouse.

Morris, a former McKenzie resident who is retired from the University of Tennessee staff, purchased the building in July 2005 from the King family trust at an undisclosed amount.

Morris said he operates as a holding company and his connection with Wall Street gives him contacts throughout the world.

Dr. Joseph Morris (left) discusses ongoing renovation with local carpenter Bill Edwards.

Southern Scientific, Inc., founded in 1961 as Southern Biological Supply Company, closed in January, 2005. The 43-year-old business was established by Chandler and Sibyl King, along with John Padgett, in cooperation with former Bethel College professor, Dr. Joe Ireland. King later purchased Padgett's share of the company. The business provided biology, chemistry and physical science supplies to colleges and universities across the nation.

Morris said renovation is expected to be completed in three to four months.

"We are going to put it in top shape and make it attractive once again," said Morris, who has already consulted with several groups in the northeast concerning the building. "We are in the negotiation stage right now," he added.

The 40,000 square foot facility features two floors with elevator access; 11 offices, which are all currently being renovated, and a vault. New metal and glass windows have been installed in the downstairs suite and carpenters are currently working on the upstairs. Hardwood floors in the office area have been sanded and restored to their original beauty.

An office takes shape as remodeling gets underway at the old Southern Biological Supply House facility.

Carpenter Bill Edwards has been hired locally to complete the renovation. Morris' son, Tim, who is a civil engineer, is assisting with project design.

The facility has 15,000 square feet of concrete trucking turnaround space, with an electronically controlled door to gain access into the building, and a railroad spur with an 80-foot access ramp.

"People can't imagine it's this big," said Morris of the building, which in years past served as a warehouse for U-Tote-Em Grocery.

"The building will look good," said Morris. "We are going to put a nice A-frame façade on the front and a new metal roof to give it a whole new look."

Morris owns a vacant lot adjacent to the building and plans to clean up the area for a more aesthetically pleasing look.

"This is mine and (wife) Joyce's toy," he said, referring to the renovation project.

When Morris purchased the building, some of the Southern Scientific materials were already lost.

Morris worked with McKenzie Mayor Walter Winchester to find the best use for the remaining supplies, which included biological specimens and chemicals. They determined the items would be donated to Lambuth University Biology Department in Jackson. The supplies were received by Lambuth early last fall and have been utilized in the Biology Department for biological lab and field studies.

Dr. Nicholas Ashbaugh, associate professor of biology at Lambuth, stated, "These supplies will be put to great use in the Biology Department here at Lambuth. We are thankful to Dr. Joseph Morris for making this gift to us."

Morris complimented both Winchester and Codes Enforcement Officer Ray Berryman, a former employee of Southern Scientific, who he said had been instrumental in offering helpful advise during the purchase and renovation of the building.

"I have enjoyed working with the city (of McKenzie)," said Morris. "Our objective is to bring something there."

Martha Vann, a sixth grade teacher at West Carroll Elementary School, has been chosen as the Tennessee Science Teachers Associations' Educator of the Year. She was honored at a special ceremony on December third in Nashville at the Opryland Hotel by the Tennessee Science Teachers Association.

Ms. Vann has served the students of the West Carroll Special School District since 1974. She has taught grades Kindergarten through sixth grade. She has also been an instructor at Bethel College, a CESME Instructor at UT Martin, a Kid's College instructor, a Reelfoot CORE Teacher, a GLOBE Instructor, a NASA'SCOOL Instructor and teacher trainer, Key Leader for Building a Presence in Science, and has served on numerous committees and advisory boards of Educational associations. Her Professional Services, Associations, Activities, and certifications are attached.

Judging was based on the following items:

1. Listing of items that indicate leadership roles in promoting science and contributions in science education that positively impacts the community - limited to two pages.
2. Philosophy of science education - limited to one page.

Ms. Vann's philosophy of science education entered was:
"In today's world, a science teacher must be part actor, part magician and part lunatic. The student of today is not easily impressed with vinegar and baking soda and an inflating balloon. Science must amaze and engage the student. My favorite conversations with a parent begins, '... comes home and tries all that crazy stuff you do at school. You should see my kitchen.'

"Science is a very easy subject to teach because it is so flexible. Students are eager to participate in experimentation and become involved in science inquiry.

"My classroom is arranged so that students can work together in groups. Each group much work cooperatively to perform activities and investigations related to the area of science we are studying. Students learn early in the year that proper procedures and methods to follow when working with equipment.

"Not all activities are conducted inside the classroom. For the past five years, my students have been partners with NASA in the S'COOL program. In this program, students make ground truth observations of cloud formations and weather condition and relay them by Internet to NASA to be compared to data received from satellites in orbit. Observations are also conducted on weekend and school holidays. These activities are an important part of our study each year of weather and Earth systems. Other out-of-classroom activities are conducted in our informal classroom. Students observe insects, animals and plants throughout the school year and conduct experiments on erosion. Activities like these give the students ownership of the scientific concepts that are studies and encourage them to take the learning home.

"My principal and Supervisor of Instruction have been willing to be flexible and allow me the freedom to conduct my classes in this manner. One of the stated goals of our District is to improve students' critical thinking skills. The activities I use in science classes promote these skills and the state mandated testing scores validate this.

"I consider myself a very lucky teacher because everyday I get to teach something I love."

 

TREZEVANT, Thursday, January 5: West Carroll Director of Schools Eric Williams presented board members with a glowing report on the marked drop in absenteeism at all three of the system's schools during their regular meeting last month. Overall for the first semester in 2004, absenteeism was 459 while for the first semester in 2005, absences dropped to a total of 124. At the 7-12 level the drop rate was from 234 in 2004 to 70 in 2005, at the 3-6 level, 124 in 2004 dropped to a mere 30 in 2005 and at the K-2 level, 101 in 2004 dropped to 24 in 2005.

Williams noted that the students now have more instruction time, teachers have less makeup work to worry about and he was extremely pleased with the first survey after modifying the attendance policy. The new policy does not allow for time after missing six days as it did previously. Also although students can seek to have extra absences excused and many do, parents appear to be more concerned with their children attending class unless illness or family emergency are reasons for missing.

Bids for the floor tiles, drop ceilings and paving at the new central office were received and accepted by executive committee during December. Williams noted acceptance of the paving bid locked in that price, one he considered to be extremely reasonable.

In the paving bid, Arrow Paving Co. of Lexington bid $7,404 while Martin Paving bid $9,600. Williams told board members he had expected to have to pay around $20,000 for that pavement and when he realized the work could be completed for under $7,500, "I tingled." Paving will be completed when the weather is warm enough.

Ceiling tiles will be installed by Milan Decorators at a cost of $7,100 and installation was scheduled to begin last Friday.

Floor tiles will be installed by The Color Shop at a cost of $5,526.74.

Most of the electrical and plumbing work has been completed and Williams told board members he hoped to hold the February meeting in the new facility.

The Child Abuse and Neglect policy became part of the board's policy manual after approval on second reading. The main difference between this policy and the previous one is that teachers are now to report suspicions of neglect and abuse directly to law enforcement rather than going through principals or directors of schools.

A new Student Wellness policy was presented to the board for study and will be placed on the February agenda for approval on first reading. The policy deals with more physical activity in grades K-12 and nutritional needs for students in grades K-8. However since the junior and senior highs share a common facility, grades 9-12 will be affected at West Carroll. Vendors will no longer be able to place soft drinks in machines. Students will be allowed to purchase milk, juices and water. Food machines will also be limited to nutritional snacks, rather than candy bars. Portion sizes will also be lowered to limit the amount consumed on healthier foods.

Science teacher Mollie Vann and the Junior Beta Club members were recognized for awards received. Vann is one of three Science teachers of the Year (grades 5-8) while Beta Club members participated and placed at the annual state convention last November.

Principal Lex Suite asked board members to consider at $500 donation to the junior high War Eagles who completed the season with an 18-4 overall record and won the Carroll County championship at Bruceton this year. The team has been invited to participate in the annual state invitational TNT in Springfield and expenses can run high if they win and participate in two to three games. Board members tentatively agreed to assist with a $1,000 to be used for transportation. If the team does not need the full amount, the remaining monies will be returned to the board.