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New Roof Approved by McKenzie School Board

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McKENZIE (August 6) — A new roof is soon for the playroom at the McKenzie Elementary School. During the August 6 meeting of the Board of Education, Dortch Roofing of Paris was awarded the contract to tear off the old built-up room and the overlaying rubber membrane and install an entirely new roof.
Lynn Watkins, Director of Schools, said the Watkins said the current roof was patched four times in the past ten years project Dortch was the lowest of four bids at $113,922. It comes with a 20-year, no dollar limit on repairs. Ten days is the estimated number of days for the installation of the 41.2 square roofing system. At the recommendation of Watkins, board members opted not to install a new roof over the attached dressing rooms, which would have cost an additional $18,524.
Watkins announced Logan Hubble, Ernesto Escamilla, and Kevin Gallimore resigned from their teaching positions before the start of the school 2019-2020 year. Hubble is now in private education, Escamilla is teaching in Texas, his home state, and Gallimore is teaching at Jackson State.
The following teachers were hired: Jerry Hayes for History, Hunter Herrin for Geometry, Jordan Jowers for Biology, Kim Lowe for Agriscience, Kristina Collins for Special Education, and Courtney Fowler for Kindergarten. Education assistants hired were: Daphne Jackson at McKenzie Elementary, Breshun Oglesby and Kerrick Owens for McKenzie Middle.
Substitute teachers include: Ivory Adkisson, Jeremy Bilger, Valerie Blyler-Gurley, Morgan Bromley, Susan Church, Genise Corder,, Blake Cossey, Sarahn Deloach, Rachel Edlin, Sara Featherston Nicole Ferguson, Robert Gardner, Regina Green, Lindsay Grissom, Larry Higgins, Theresa Hilliard, Derrick Hubble, Dusty Johnson, Diane McClerkin, Braden Nanney, Jean Smith, Marsha Smith, Courtney Travelstead, Jennifer Van Dyke, Melissa Jones. Substitutes are paid $65 daily with or without teacher certification.
The board approved six board policies on the first of two readings.
The change in the policy on “minutes of board meetings” removes the reference of those meeting being mailed to the interested parties. Instead, those can be transmitted electronically.
The policy on graduation now requires students to make a 70 or better on an exit United States civics exam as a requirement of graduation. Previously, the law indicated a student now had to take the test.
The change on testing indicates students must take a career assessment or interest inventory to middle schools or ninth graders.

The change in the separation of teachers indicates the school will send correspondence to the state Board of Education instead of the state commissioner.
A policy concerning the enrollment of students from military families indicates the students can submit proof of residency within 90 days of enrollment. The policy is intended to accommodate the families of military service personnel, who might be reassigned or deployed.
Approved was the awarding of foodservice bids for food services. McKenzie Special School District joined Volco, a cooperative of approximately 21 school systems, to collectively bid for food and milk services.
Approved were GFS for produce, Prairie Farms for milk and milk products, Turner Dairy for ice cream products, and HPS for food/non-food supplies.
In a discussion about collaborative conferencing between the board and McKenzie Education Association, the board approved an appendix to a memorandum of understanding which will outline the salary schedule of professional personnel. However, the board did not indicate it engage in an annual review of salary and benefits with the teachers.
Tennessee General Assembly now prohibits professional educators from forming labor unions. The law does allow for non-binding collective conferencing.
Board Chairman John Austin indicated the board is “pro-teacher” and has worked to provide competitive wages and benefits.
Director Watkins said the school provided two- to four-percent annual salary increases during his tenure, except one year, when they received a $1,000 annual bonus.
Board member Norman French said the language in the MEA’s memorandum of understanding was vague and not defined.
The board will work toward a long-term systemwide strategic plan before January 2020.

McKenzie, Approved, Roof, 2019, School Board