McKenzie School Board Installs Aird as Student Representative

The McKenzie Special School District (MSSD) Board of Education met August 5 at the MSSD Board Room, just hours after the first day of the 2025-26 school year concluded. The Board welcomed a new student representative and approved a new tax rate, budget amendments and district policy amendments.

Gracie Aird is the new MSSD Board of Education Student Board Representative. Aird, the daughter of Matt and Misty Aird, recited the student representative oath to the Board, cementing herself as this year’s school liaison. The senior will give reports representing McKenzie High School in future meetings.

The school board voted to approve the $0.7483 per $100 assessed and property value certified tax rate for the 2025-26 school year. Of this tax rate, $0.4898 is distributed to the general purpose fund and $0.2585 is distributed to the debt service fund.

The Board approved two budget amendments, transferring $2,200 to the undesignated fund balance for maintenance effort and breaking down a $217,206.15 budget increase for teachers’ bonuses.

The Board voted to approve amendments to 19 policies in the MSSD Board of Education Policy Manual in accordance with new state laws which went into effect July 1. These amendments affected School District Records; Surplus Property; Threat Assessment Team; Instructional Program; Discrimination/Harassment of Employees (Sexual, Racial, Ethnic, Religious); Student Discrimination, Harassment, Bullying, Cyber-bullying and Intimidation; Virtual Education Program; Interscholastic Athletes; Reconsideration of Instructional Materials, Textbooks, Library Materials; Use of the Internet; Reporting Student Progress; Employment of Retirees; Family and Medical Leave; Substitute Teachers; Attendance; Questioning Students and Searches; Use of Wireless Communication Devices; Student Wellness and Student Records.

The Board approved a memorandum of understanding between the McKenzie Police Department and the MSSD for school resource officers, marking another year of collaboration between the two entities.

The Board approved the MSSD Disciplinary Hearing Authority: Tonya Brown or designee for McKenzie Elementary, Josh Kee or designee for McKenzie Middle and Kelly Spivey or designee for McKenzie High School.

The Board agreed to allow fundraising groups like the Elementary PTO, Home Run Club and Soccer Club to serve the schools.

The Board acknowledged the retirement of former MMS Principal Dorethea Royle and the in-house appointments of new MMS Principal Josh Kee and Vice Principal Beth Mathis.

They listed new hires, from June 5 to August 5: Jenna Tucker, MHS STEM, head softball coach, assistant girls basketball coach; Jeremy Allen, MMS science, assistant football coach; Chloe Glass, MMS educational assistant; Charro Keenan, MHS educational assistant; Brandi Parham, MHS nurse; Alec Meddings, MES physical education, MMS assistant football coach; and Mary Beth Carlock, MHS special education math.

The Board recognized the resignations of Bobbie Sykes, MHS nurse, and Colin Williams, MES physical education teacher and MMS assistant football coach.