School | The Mckenzie Banner

New Playground Equipment Added for McKenzie Pre-K

McKENZIE (February 2) — Pre-K students at McKenzie Elementary School have new recreational equipment. more

2/6/24

Dr. Justin Barden is in his first year of service as the director of schools in McKenzie. One day last year, he temporarily accepted another assignment: substitute bus driver. With the assistance of his volunteer navigator, Amanda Cowan, they safely transported students from McKenzie Special School District.

CARROLL COUNTY — School bus drivers are in short supply, both locally and nationally. Carroll County is facing the same issues of trained drivers as others throughout the state and nation, said John McAdams, director of schools for the County of Carroll. more

2/6/24

Huntingdon Schools Extends Dr. Kee’s Contract

HUNTINGDON (January 17) — The contract of Dr. Jonathan Kee, director of schools, was extended by unanimous vote by the Huntingdon Special School District Board of Education on January 17. Dr. Kee’s contract now extends to June 30, 2026, after the one-year extension. more

1/23/24

Nancy Holland, MHS Class of 1949, honored as a member of the undefeated 1949 Rebelettes. Pictured are members of the McKenzie High School Alumni Association: LaRenda Scarbrough, Byron Rich, Karen Campbell, Gale Edwards, Kelly Spivey, Nancy Holland, Terry Howell, Tracy Brown, Kay Brown, Diane Stafford, and Brian Stafford.

Nancy Holland Honored As a Member of the 1949 Rebelettes

McKENZIE (January 8) — McKenzie Alumni Association continued to honor its fellow alumni during the basketball contest between the McKenzie Rebels and the Henry County Patriots. more

1/16/24

Webb School Nominated for Historic Register

The State Review Board of the Tennessee Historical Commission is meeting Wednesday, January 24, to discuss eight sites from across the state that may be placed on The National Register of Historic Places. Of those eight nominees, McKenzie’s historic Webb School is one of those to be discussed. more

By Jason Martin
jmartin@mckenziebanner.com | 1/16/24

Members of the WCSSD Board met for this first time this year last Tuesday night. Board members discussed a long list of improvements that will be made to school buildings this year. Pictured (L to R): Betty Wallace, Kelly Weaver, Misty Mitchell, Chairman William Robinson, Director Preston Caldwell (standing), Jeremy Jackson and Keith Murray.

West Carroll School Board Discusses Building Projects

The West Carroll Special School District Board of Education held its monthly meeting last Thursday night with all board members were present. more

By Dirk Fontaine
(Milan) Mirror-Exchange | 1/9/24

Jan Latimer and Willie Huffman following the fall graduation of TCAT students on December 20. Latimer is the vice president and Huffman is the president of the TCAT at McKenzie and Paris.

Huffman to Retire from TCAT

McKENZIE — Willie Huffman is retiring after a three-year stint as the president of Tennessee College of Applied Technology at both McKenzie and Paris. His retirement is April 30, 2024. more

12/26/23

Three Finalists Selected For Next TCAT President

NASHVILLE (Dec. 20, 2023) — Three finalists have been selected for the next president of Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Henry/Carroll. All three will participate in public interviews on the campus in Paris, TN, on Jan. 9, 2024, the next step in the selection process. more

12/26/23

TCAT-McKenzie Holds Fall Graduation

McKENZIE — Wednesday, December 20 was the date set for the Tennessee College of Applied Technology - McKenzie Class of 2023 Fall Graduation. Commencement exercises began at 1 p.m. at the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 16835 Highland Drive, McKenzie. The keynote speaker was Mr. Joe Norval, principal and CTE director of the Carroll County Technical Center. more

12/26/23

Bryan Rich, Ricky Price, Derek Carr, and Brian Winston during the presentation of honors to Price and Carr as outstanding alumni of McKenzie High School.

McKenzie High School Alumni Association Salutes Alumni

The McKenzie High School Alumni Association (MHSAA) recognized two outstanding alumni at the December 19 basketball home game vs. Milan. The honorees were Ricky Price (Class of 1974) and Derek Carr (Class of 2008). more

12/26/23

McKenzie CTE Director Susan Dyer and sister, Kim Branon.

Susan Dyer Graduates From WestTeach

MARTIN, TENN., Dec. 21, 2023 – Susan Dyer, the Career and Technical Education (CTE) director and community connections/work-based learning coordinator at McKenzie Special School District, graduated from the 2023 WestTeach Class on Dec. 12 at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Dyer (pictured left) is with her sister, Kim Brannon. more

12/26/23

Huntingdon HOSA Competes In Regional Competition

Huntingdon High School - HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) Regional competition was held November 13-15, 2023. more

12/19/23

McKenzie Elementary School Gives Gifts to Nursing Homes

This year McKenzie Elementary School celebrated the spirit of giving by creating care packages for local nursing homes. The students made cards and helped to create care packages as a way of learning how to give back to others. more

12/19/23

Newly Tenured Teachers at McKenzie (L to R) Front Row: Kelsey Brown, Rachel Hardy and Cari Moore. Back Row: Trey Cantrell, Chase Barton, Karlene Ellis-Brown and Brandy Baumgardner. Not pictured are Audra Atkins and Dusty Emerson.

Nine McKenzie Teachers Granted Tenure

McKENZIE (December 5) — Nine teachers in the McKenzie Special School District were granted tenure during the December 5 meeting of the school board. more

By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com | 12/12/23

Sherri Brawner, a third grade teacher at Gleason School, was honored as the Teacher of the Year. She is pictured with her principal, Lee Lawrence.

Sherri Brawner Honored As Teacher of the Year

GLEASON (December 1) — Gleason Third Grade Teacher, Mrs. Sherri Brawner, received recognition December 1 as the Weakley County Teacher of the Year for grades Pre-K-4. more

12/12/23

Bethel President Walter Butler cooks pancakes as Dr. Roger Johnson assists.

Pancakes with Bethel’s President

McKENZIE (November 27) — It was final tests week at Bethel University for the Fall 2023 seminar. A night of fun honored the students with a late-evening pancake, sausage, and dessert meal. Bethel President Walter Butler along with faculty and staff members prepared and served the students. more

12/5/23

Cindy Mallard (right) presented a plaque to President Walter Butler and wife, Jennifer.

Bethel President Butler Honored by Faculty, Staff

McKENZIE (November 30) — Bethel University President Walter Butler and wife, Jennifer were honored by the faculty, staff, and Student Government Association during a reception held in Butler’s honor on Thursday, November 30 at noon. more

12/5/23

Butler family members and members of the Bethel Board of Trustees stand alongside a temporary sign renaming Wildcat Stadium to Walter Butler Stadium. (L to R) Dr. Wayne Scott, Julia Maddox, Joseph Butler, Dr. Lee Butler, Easton Butler, Dr. Morgan Butler, Bost and Banks Butler, Thomas Butler, Joie Butler and Jennifer Butler, Dr. Walter Butler, Leon Cole, Ken Quinton, Lisa Cole, Craig White, Nancy Bean, Dr. Bernice Richardson, Jon Carlock, Patty Kahlden and Myra Carlock.

Wildcat Stadium Renamed Walter Butler Stadium

McKENZIE (December 2) — December 2, 2023 was a big day of honor for Dr. Walter Butler, president of Bethel University. more

12/5/23

Watkins Brothers Selected Administrators of the Year

The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) selected two McKenzie natives and brothers as School System Administrators of the Year. more

11/21/23

Bethel University Selects Interim President

McKENZE (November14) — Reverend Dr. Bob Watkins will serve as the interim president of Bethel University beginning January 1, 2024. more

11/21/23