McKenzie School Board Approves Volleyball, Tours STEM, Nursing Rooms

McKENZIE (April 2) — The McKenzie Special School District Board of Education met April 1 and approved volleyball as a school-sponsored sport at McKenzie High School and McKenzie Middle School.

Director of Schools Justin S. Barden presented the volleyball proposal, listed as Item 6 on the agenda. Volleyball will begin as a fall sport at MHS, competing in TSSAA Division I, Class A, Region 6, District 12, alongside Clarksburg, Decatur Co. Riverside, Huntingdon, Jackson Central-Merry, Madison Academic Magnet, and West Carroll. Jordan Jowers, an MHS teacher, was named head coach. Practice officially begins July 28. MMS volleyball will be a spring sport with local match scheduling. Equipment has been purchased through district funds, with additional sponsorships and fundraising planned.

Board members asked about gym scheduling conflicts. Administrators said flexible summer conditioning schedules should minimize overlaps.

Facility Upgrades and Tours

Window replacements at the central office are complete, though several cracked panes will be replaced under supplier warranty. Door replacements at both schools are scheduled for summer to comply with Fire Marshal regulations. Roof repairs will start within three weeks, pending delivery of metal flashing, according to Brian Parkhill and Leslie Rich. No financial updates were discussed.

Principal Spivey led a tour of the STEM lab and media center, funded by an RSM Foundation grant. The lab includes 3D printers, laser cutters, and 3D pens, with workspace for student projects. A former news production room was repurposed to increase access. Staff noted renovation costs were lower than expected, allowing extra resources. Displayed student projects included keychains, articulated figurines, and a 3D-printed alpaca, which took five hours to print. Due to high student interest, equipment use now requires teacher supervision. The lab is accessible to students not enrolled in formal STEM courses.

The board also viewed the updated nursing wing, still under development. Maintenance installed temporary walls earlier in the day to combine two rooms into a single space, removing a dividing wall and repositioning shelving to open up the area. Staff described the project as an important improvement. Board members examined the layout and workspace. Staff emphasized both the nursing wing and STEM lab significantly enhance the district’s learning environment.

Personnel and Contracts

All re-election forms from certified and classified staff were returned, with no retirements reported. Ben Carter submitted his resignation to return to Huntington; replacement interviews are pending.

The district is preparing a request for proposals (RFP) for custodial services. Several vendors, including current provider ABM, expressed interest.

The board reviewed progress on intercom upgrades at MES and MMS and discussed drainage concerns at MES. Roofing and engineering experts have been consulted.

The next regular board meeting is May 6.