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McKenzie School Approves 2021-22 Budget, Pursues Building Project at MHS

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McKenzie (June 10) — There is no property tax increase to fund the 2021-22 fiscal year budget for the McKenzie Special School District. The Board of Education of the McKenzie Special School District approved the budget and tax rate of $1.1844, a rate equal to the certified tax rate of more than 20 years. One of the highlights of the budget is the final $884,000 payment on the financing bond for the construction of McKenzie High School, constructed in 1998.

The budget represents a two-percent pay raise for administrators, faculty, and staff plus a $1,000 bonus in November, just prior to the Christmas holiday.

The $9.35 million budget represents a .8 percent increase from the FY2021 budget, and funds 112.65 full-time equivalent licensed positions plus approximately 35 substitute teachers. The BEP funding formula is based on 1,200 students through a hold harmless provision for this year following a pandemic. The actual number of students is estimated at 1,146.

The majority of the budget is funded through the state’s Better Education Plan (BEP) funds and local sales and property taxes.

The school receives $729,846 (estimate) from the federal government and will receive ESSER 3.0 funds, as part of the pandemic relief funds. A total of 22.85 full-time equivalent positions are funded by federal funds.

While the long-term debt retires in April, 2022, the Board began discussions about constructing a new all-purpose facility at McKenzie High School to accommodate practices of sports teams, band, and other activities. The present, single gym, is used for physical education, school assemblies, sports practices, and sporting events.

The Board voted overwhelmingly to again pursue construction of the all-purpose facility. Karen Fowler was the lone no vote. It was considered several years ago, however, the board at that time wanted to delay construction - closer to the end of the school’s bonded indebtedness, which occurs in April 2022. ESSER funds will fund a portion of the building, pending approval the funding authorities.

Lynn Watkins, director of schools, said the estimated cost of the facility has increased tremendously since it was first proposed several years ago.

Significant upgrades to school sites are being funded by ESSER - a pandenic relief fund. Those are air conditioning at both the elementary and middle school gymnasiums. Other improvements include upgrades to the locker rooms at the middle school gymnasium. The air condition will be placed on the front exterior of the gymnasium, said Watkins.

Fowler proposed the exterior of the McKenzie Elementary School be painted. She had an estimate of $133,000 to complete the work. She noted the exterior has peeling paint and mold on the north side of the building. She recommended the district develop a long-range plan for the replacement of the elementary and middle schools.

The board voted against Fowler’s motion to paint MES.

A contract for the middle school and high school softball and baseball teams to use the city-owned fields was approved, with Fowler the lone no vote.

Fowler, Chad Brown, and George Cassidy said the respective booster clubs made significant upgrades to both the softball and baseball fields in recent years. Over the last three years, the OnDeck Club made $12,000 improvements to the city-owned softball fields, said Fowler. She also noted eight to nine of the field lights do not work and the scoreboard worked during one game, the final one of the 2021 season.

The board approved the contract of $3,500 annually to use the city fields, with the city providing certain services.

Watkins said the 2021-22 teaching positions are filled at this time. Newly employed are Luke Anderson, sixth grade math; Dylan Benson, high school science; Morgan Bromley, fifth grade English language arts; Nickolas Cobb, seventh grade science; Rachel Edlin, first grade; Tyler Holt, eighth grade math; Morgan Klinzing - CDC at the elementary school; Hope Powell - first grade; and Ashley Sellers, second grade.

McKenzie Elementary School licensed personnel rehired include: Malissa Anderson, Beth Bailey, Lauren Banuelos, Chase Barton, Brandy Baumgardener, Josie Brown, Kelsey Brown, Kristy Brown, Lorrie Brown, Tonya Brown, Anita Burden, Kristina Collins, Dusty Emerson, Lauren Flannery, Courtney Fowler, Christina French, Rachel Hardy, Alex Hayes, Hannah Haywood, Courtney Kee, Josh Kee, Kathy Keys, Sydney Lane, Cari Moore, Amanda Oakley, Kelly Simmons, Beckie Smith, Tiffany Smith, Mary Spivey, Jana Stafford, Amy Talley, Megan Taylor, Brandy Turman, Joanna Turner, Chris Wall, Jill Warren, Amy Wilkes, Jill Wilson and Allison Winston.

MES Support Staff includes: Traci Baker, Cynthia Creyssels, Cathy Edlin, Gale Edwards, Gina Harper, Carol Hill, Ginny Knott, Melodie Marr, Rocia Mejorado, Amy Scott, Derrinda Thomas and Mallory Welch.

Licensed Personnel at McKenzie Middle School rehired include: Audra Atkins, Sherrie Austin, Gretchen Boucher, Paul Carroll, Nick Chappell, Mistee Cooper, Cassie Ellis, Karlene Ellis-Brown, Veda Haney, Jessica Hochreiter, Rebecca Jones, Savannah Merchant, Amanda Morris, Jennifer Nelson, George Ognibene, Jill Renfro, Zach Renfro, Ty Riggins, Lori Robertson, Doretha Royle, Kim Smith, Bess Toombs, Megan Wortham, Jospehine Wright. Support staff at MMS includes: Kevin Beck, Daphne Jackson; Josh Middleton, Karen Moore, and Vera Shipp.

McKenzie High School licensed personnel rehired include: Keith Breeden, Trey Cantrell, Jackie Carr, Erika Cole, Wade Comer, Lesley Davidson, Paula Doster, Susan Dyer, David Featherston, Mallory Fowler, Billie Jo Hardwick, Hunter Herrin, Jordan Jowers, Cheyanne Kyle, Jeannine Lowe, Kim Lowe, Ashley Lowe, Traci Lunn, Beth Mathis, Carol Nanney, Jenniger Ognibene, Gina Pate, Dan Ridley, Shelia Ridley, Kelly Spivey, Zach Tippitt and John Wilkins.

MHS support staff includes: Jamie Brown, Kim Hudgins and Tammy Maxwell.

Central staff personnel include: Stan George, LaDona Herrin, Dianne Anderson, Angie Hollowell, Kevan King, Leighann Horne, and Greg Jones.

Maintenance personnel include: Bobby Osborne, Colten McKenner, Mitch Belew, and Frankie Brockman.

Food Service staff members include: Kathy Barcroft, Betty Carrington, Bobbie Fann, Rosemary Fowler, Megan Harris, Beverly Overcast, Laura Martin, Virginia Cross, Patricia Lee, Brittany Morgan, Lewis Wilson, Susan Baker, Allison Dalzell, Tamara Nanney, Tammy Parker, and Brenda Smith.