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McKenzie School Board Considers Hiring Additional SROs

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The McKenzie Special School District Board of Education held a meeting Tuesday, June 14, at 5:30 p.m. at 114 Bell Avenue. At the meeting, board members considered the approval of budget amendments for the McKenzie Special School District school funds. They also considered for approval the 2022-23 School District Property Taxes and McKenzie Special School District Budget.

The school board considered for approval hiring additional School Resource Officers (SROs) for each McKenzie school at the June 14 meeting. This discussion follows local parents’ and community members’ requests for additional SRO officers at McKenzie schools after recent school shootings in the country.

School Resource Officers are law enforcement officers, law-related counselors, and law-related educators at schools across the nation. They help school administration maintain a safe and secure environment within a school.

Officer Nick Lowe is currently the only SRO for all three schools.

The board also considered the approval of the FY 23 Consolidated Application, which includes eight grants. With this approval, they also considered the authorization of Director Lynn Watkins as the board’s representative to file the project application and any subsequent amendments, addenda, or correspondence pertaining thereto. Supervisor Ladona Herrin was also considered as the contact person for carrying out the duties associated with the Consolidated Application.

The board considered approving the General Fund Expense Accounts for all three McKenzie Schools and authorizing Director K. Lynn Watkins as the school district’s fiscal agent and to sign all checks on all district and school accounts.

On one reading, the board also considered the approval of a Cimex Lectularius (Bed Bug) amendment to the McKenzie Special School District Board of Education Policy Manual.

Finally, the school board discussed approving the McKenzie High School grading scale and replacing the middle school gym’s visitor side bleachers.

Lynn Watkins delivered the Director’s Report before the meeting adjourned.