Welcome to our new web site!

To give our readers a chance to experience all that our new website has to offer, we have made all content freely avaiable, through October 1, 2018.

During this time, print and digital subscribers will not need to log in to view our stories or e-editions.

Watkins Granted Two-Year Extension On Contract

Posted

McKENZIE (December 4) — Lynn Watkins, director of the McKenzie Special School District, was granted a two-year extension to his employment contract.
In a unanimous decision, the board voted to extension the contract to June 30, 2021. Watkins is a McKenzie native, graduate of McKenzie High School, where he played sports, and served as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal in the school system.
Five teachers were granted tenure after at least five years in the system and earning qualifying performance reviews.
Mary Spivey and Chris Wall at McKenzie Elementary School, Joseph Baumgartel at McKenzie Middle School, and Kelly Spivey and Zach Tippitt at McKenzie High School were granted tenure.

Student enrollment continues to decline. Watkins reported the current average daily membership (enrollment) is 1,230, down from the current Basic Enrollment Plan funding of 1,298, based on last year’s enrollment. Watkins said that represents a loss of 68 students. The 2019 graduating class is one of the largest in enrollment. So next year, the total overall enrollment can be down even more.
The school calendar was approved for the 2019-2020 year. Classes begin August 5, fall break is October 14 to 18, Thanksgiving holiday is November 27-29, and Christmas holiday is December 20 through January 3. For the second semester, students start Tuesday, January 7. Spring Break is April 6 to 10, and the last day of school is May 20.
Holidays include Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, and Good Friday, which is included in Spring Break. There are six days included for inclement weather. Watkins said there are nine full weeks of summer.
The fourth-grade Rebel Singers performed two songs for members of the School Board. A group of teachers played percussion instruments in accompaniment.

Singers, Rebels, Watkins