McKenzie School Board Approves Drainage Upgrades at MES

McKENZIE (May 6) — The McKenzie Special School District Board of Education approved a $24,999 project to improve drainage at the elementary school during the regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening.

Board members unanimously supported the improvements, which will be implemented by Casey Toombs Concrete Works of McKenzie and Turner's Landscaping of Paris. Grading and dirt work will be done along the perimeter where water collects against the building. Also, the walkway between the rear of the school and the district office will be replaced and a new, larger culvert installed.

The board also approved a resolution to accept the one-time teacher bonus of $2,000 included in the Education Freedom Act. The district has 97 staff members who will qualify for the funds.

Several budget amendments were approved, reallocating funds to be used for instructional supplies, Special Education equipment and staff development.

Also approved was the adoption of science textbooks for the next eight years. Supervisor of Instruction Ladona Herrin reported that K-8 science teachers had chosen Savvas (formerly Pearson), while high school physical science, biology, chemistry and physics would use McGraw Hill materials. She noted the shift from six-year to eight-year cycles and that all books are now "consumable," meaning each student must be issued their own copy. Herrin estimated a total cost of around $200,000 based on a similar set of math books adopted two years ago.

The board heard from high school counselor Ashley Lowe and one of two students who attended the Student Congress on Policies in Education (SCOPE) conference at Belmont University in March. Junior Ryan Toombs thanked the board for the opportunity and spoke briefly about his experience in a competitive debate and learning about how school boards operate. Carli Beeler, also a junior, was unable to attend in person due to a softball game, but Lowe relayed a written statement thanking the board.

The board approved a field trip for six MHS Beta Club members to Walt Disney World in June.

Director of Schools Dr. Justin Barden reported that the Teacher Appreciation Banquet the prior evening had been a success, with almost 175 teachers, staff, board members and guests in attendance.

Dr. Barden thanked student school board representative Baylee Barden (his daughter) for her commitment as her graduation approaches. He announced that next year's representative would be Gracie Aird.

He noted that materials for the roofing project at MHS had arrived and work would begin this week.

The meeting adjourned after 30 minutes.

Board members Chad Brown and Spiros Roditis were absent.