McKenzie School Board Extends Dr. Barden’s Contract by Four Years

McKENZIE (December 2) — The McKenzie Special School District (MSSD) Board of Education voted to extend Dr. Justin Barden’s superintendent contract by four years during Tuesday night’s regular meeting. The board also approved four high school teachers for tenure, adopted a budget amendment regarding security purchases and granted Dr. Barden’s request to find a new vehicle for McKenzie High School’s drivers education classes.

Dr. Barden joined the school district in May 2023 after dedicating nearly two decades of service to schools across Tennessee.

“As a whole, we have been very pleased with Dr. Barden,” said Board Chairman LaShonda Williams. “He has done great things in our system. He’s worked extremely, extremely hard.”

Dr. Barden accepted the contract extension. “It’s a blessing to work in this district and work alongside [the board] and all of our teachers,” he said. “We’ll continue to do good things.”

Dr. Barden also recommended four high school teachers for tenure, supported by Principal Kelly Spivey: Ashley Lowe, guidance counselor; Jordan Jowers, Biology I and physics teacher; Janet Esch, English I teacher; and Lindsey Parham, agriculture teacher.

Lowe and Jowers were each recommended after completing their five-year probationary period with the high school.

Esch and Parham previously received tenure with the district under the old tenure laws, but they lost tenure after relocating to other schools. While the new tenure laws allow for a two-year probationary period for the two educators, Dr. Barden requested shortening this period based on both teachers’ achievements in the classroom. He recommended granting them tenure now rather than waiting another year.

The board approved all four tenure recommendations.

Dr. Barden informed the board of a Tennessee Public School Security Grant that gave the district $25,204.67. He said the district already used this money to purchase security film for windows and doors at the elementary, middle and high schools and fifty bleeding control kits for classrooms.

The board adopted the budget for the Public School Security Grant.

In a last-minute addition to the agenda, Dr. Barden requested the board’s approval to purchase a new vehicle for the high school’s drivers education classes.

The current vehicle, purchased used in 2021, has needed several costly repairs in four years after brake issues, electrical issues and tire issues according to Barden.

“We are in a position to potentially put $10,000 more into these repairs, and it’s only at around 60,000 miles,” Dr. Barden said. “So we’re disappointed.”

Dr. Barden said he felt like the purchase of a new vehicle is the district’s best approach moving forward. Because the school van was in the shop for a $4,200 repair, it was unusable by the current class. There are two drivers education classes next semester, and these classes typically start driving within the first few weeks of school.

The current vehicle does not have a warranty, but Peppers Ford offered the district a trade-in offer of $8,500. Dr. Barden said the district wants to purchase a vehicle that’s near the $20,000 range, so they would need to pay a maximum of $13,000. The district would also need to install a dual-control brake on the purchased vehicle, adding a few hundred more dollars to the overall price.

Dr. Barden informed the board of several available options at Peppers Ford: a Honda Santa Fe with about 26,000 miles left on its Powertrain Warranty, a Chevy Trax with about 10,000 miles left on its Powertrain Warranty and a Trailblazer with more than 30,000 miles left on its Powertrain Warranty.

None of the vehicles have total warranty coverage.

Board member Misty Aird agreed that the high school needed a new vehicle. “I think it’s a safety issue,” she said.

The board approved of Dr. Barden’s search for a new driver’s education vehicle.

Adding to the night’s celebratory items, the board recognized a recent retiree in the district. Food Services Director Greg Jones retired from his position after eight years serving MSSD. Dr. Barden wished Jones and his wife, Mrs. Kay, the best as they embark on their new stage of life. The board presented Jones with a gift for his service.

“I thoroughly enjoyed being here and working with everybody,” Jones said in a short thank-you speech.

Laura Martin is the new food services director, bringing almost three decades of food service experience into her new role. Previously, she served as the cafeteria manager at McKenzie Middle School.

The board also approved overnight stays for McKenzie High School football players and cheerleaders during the TSSAA State Championship. Both groups were permitted to leave McKenzie Thursday and stay overnight in Chattanooga both Thursday and Friday.

The school board’s next regular meeting is Tuesday, February 3, 2026.