McKenzie School Board Mulls Numerous Projects

McKENZIE (October 1) — New safety alert systems, floor repairs at the gymnasiums at McKenzie Middle School and McKenzie Elementary School, painting at MES, a new roof, new windows and doors at McKenzie High School, and repair of the intercom system at McKenzie Middle School were all discussed as significant projects needed at McKenzie Special School District.

The MSSD Board of Education discussed all the projects during its October 1 meeting but took no action on any, instead requesting more information on some of them.

October is designated as facilities planning month, and each of the three principals provides a list of needed repairs at their respective school sites.

An alert system to warn of intruders, threats, or unruly students or visitors was presented with a first-year price of $53,220 and four additional annual installments of $24,600.

Dr. Justin Barden, director of schools, said the Centegix system is one in which each teacher, administrator, and staff member wears a lanyard with an activation button. A specific sequence of pushing a button on the lanyard will either activate a school-wide alert to lock down the school and classrooms, or possibly a different sequence will alert that a problem exists in a single room, possibly with a student. The system requires visitors to use some sort of identification to scan as they enter during school hours. The system alerts school staff members if the visitor has concerns about child custody or is listed on the registry for sexual violation.

An activation of the alert system would immediately notify law enforcement agencies.

The Board indicated such a system is very useful for the safety of the children but wanted additional information and quotes from other companies.

Discussion about replacing a portion of the bleachers in McKenzie Middle School Gymnasium resulted in concern for weak spots in the gymnasium’s floor and the need to repair or replace the floor prior to installing bleachers. Seat replacement ranged from $43,481 to $64,305, depending on the options of wood or plastic and the extent of repairs. For the floor, price quotes ranged from simply repairing the weak spots to replacing the entire floor, which was the most costly at $160,000.

The proposed exterior painting of the McKenzie Elementary School ranged in price from $56,000 with T&L Painting of Milan up to Ross Services, who bid $162,695. MES Principal Tonya Brown said the flooring, a rubber-like material, in the gymnasium is dirty and cannot be cleaned. It needs replacing, she noted.

The school’s project management firm is reviewing bids for the new roof at McKenzie High School for presentation to the School Board. SH Masonry, Thomas Glass, and T and L Painting will soon start replacing specific windows and doors at MHS.The work was approved in the 2023-24 school budget.

The board approved the 2025-26 school calendar. Students start August 5, have fall break from October 13-17, Thanksgiving break from November 26-28, and Christmas break from December 22 to January 2. In 2026, school resumes on January 5, spring break is March 23-27, and school ends on May 21.