MSSD Develops Five-Year Plan

The McKenzie Special School District (MSSD) board met Tuesday, October 7, to discuss its five-year strategic plan. Also on the agenda was a budget amendments and hearings from the McKenzie Education Association and on facility planning updates.

The board considered actions laid out by the school district to develop a five-year strategic plan. The steps narrow the district’s areas of focus in its instructional and operational goals, financial resources and buildings and facilities.

To strengthen academic excellence, the board voted to implement high-quality instructional materials in all grades; establish supports in content areas utilizing the TN Instructional Practice Guide; provide research-based literacy and math interventions to address student needs; prioritize career exploration and STEM learning in all grade levels; and focus on work-based learning, industry certification and dual-enrollment opportunities for high school students through the CTE program.

Other action steps include actively promoting MSSD in the community and at college/career fairs to recruit top candidates, maintaining open lines of communication, encouraging local businesses’ involvement and seeking opportunities for businesses to support the work taking place in schools, considering buildings’ needs that focus on students and staff safety and having a comprehensive facilities assessment to consider buildings’ needs.

School principals then provided facilities reports looking into the 2026-27 school year.

McKenzie Elementary School Principal Tonya Brown reported several leaks in the roof that need to be replaced before floor tiles could be replaced. She also requested a new gymnasium floor, as she said it is starting to separate in places, and for the building to be pressure washed if it couldn’t be repainted.

McKenzie Elementary School currently holds 511 students, as of September 24, 2025.

McKenzie Middle School Principal Josh Kee requested that the school’s gym be repainted, that the old gym windows by the lobby be repainted and that the outside door to Room 204 be replaced. He said all air conditioning issues had been addressed.

McKenzie Middle School has 398 enrolled students and anticipates 402 students in the next school year.

The school occupies 29 classrooms including core areas, rotation rooms, special education rooms and ACE/ELL rooms.

McKenzie High School Principal Kelly Spivey said all of his main concerns from two years ago (roof, windows, parking lot and drainage) had been resolved by the Board of Education. In his meeting, he requested a glass wall trophy case with several TVs enclosed in the wall in the gym lobby. He also wants the school’s championship trophies highlighted front and center with custom lighting. Other requests include hanging the gym lights higher, updating the gym’s sound system and installing a digital sign in front of the school.

McKenzie High School has 364 enrolled students and anticipates 363 students in 2026-27 and 388 students in 2027-28.

The high school uses 25 classrooms for everyday instruction.

Kristina Collins, president of the McKenzie Education Association (MEA), addressed the board to submit a petition containing signatures from MSSD educators regarding collaborative conferencing.

“As you know, Tennessee law recognizes that collaborative relationships between the board and professionals assist in establishing the maintenance of an educational climate and working environment,” Collins said.

MEA submits signatures every three years to maintain a memorandum of understanding between the school board and the MEA.

The board also voted in agreeance with a budget amendment to allocate $10,250.00 each year to the middle and high schools to offset free student admission to sports. This amount is based on each school’s past profits from students purchasing tickets.

The next school board meeting is Tuesday, November 4.