When Dr. Justin Barden accepted his new position as the McKenzie Special School District’s Director of Schools, he knew he wanted to spend his first year observing rather than changing. He would be intentional and methodical with his choices, and he could only do that by listening and learning what the district already does so well. more

McKENZIE — After 10 years as President of Bethel University, Dr. Walter Butler announced his plans to retire on December 31, 2023 shortly after turning 70. more

HUNTINGDON (June 23) — Construction on a $4 million expansion and renovation project is underway at Huntngdon Primary School. more

TCAT McKenzie students Eric Flores of Henry and Ryan Chaney of Huntingdon recently earned certifications in Information Technology Systems Management (ITSM). more

Lex Suite is the new principal at Riverside High School, according to Decatur County Director of Schools Chris Villaflor. Suite has 30-plus years experience in education with three of those as assistant principal at Riverside High School. more

HUNTINGDON (June 21) — How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice. That’s a long-standing joke indicating those who practice their musical talents can one day perform at The Carnegie. … more

During the regularly scheduled McKenzie Special School District Board meeting June 15, the school board voted unanimously to approve the 2023-24 budget, proposed by Dr. Justin Barden, McKenzie’s new director of schools, and Brad Davis, the new school finance director. more

McKENZIE (MAY 31) — Lynn Watkins was honored for his service during a non-business, informal gathering of the McKenzie Board of Education on Wednesday, May 31 at the Board of Education office. more

The McKenzie High School Alumni Association held its first official meeting Thursday, June 8, in the McKenzie High School Theater. Brad Camp, Class of 1983, led the meeting and reviewed the organizations new bylaws and committees. Attendees were urged to sign in via a Google Form where they inputted their names, email addresses and phone numbers for contact. They also answered when they graduated from McKenzie High School, their involvement in school organizations, and if they would be interested in joining a committee. more

MARTIN (June 2) — The University of Tennessee at Martin hosted its annual Greek Awards ceremony June 2, and several Carroll County students received awards. more

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) hosted its second annual Tech Discovery Camp for rising eighth graders May 22-26 for Bruceton and Clarksburg students and May 30-June 2 for McKenzie students. The camp was introduced last summer as a way to introduce students to technical career options. more

MARTIN — During commencement exercises on May 6, Jack Lawrence of McKenzie received a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from the University of Tennessee at Martin. Here, he is pictured with his parents, Benjamin and Nichole, and his grandmother, Susan. more

The Tennessee Department of Education released scores from the spring English/language arts (ELA) TCAP assessment Wednesday, May 25, revealing that more than half of Tennessee’s third-grade students are not meeting proficiency in the subject. While some area schools have higher proficiency percentages than the statewide average, McKenzie, Hollow-Rock/Bruceton, Milan and West Carroll special school districts have found their percentages below the state average. more

McKenzie High School graduates who wish for a way to rekindle friendships with old classmates, promote school pride, and help current students – look no further. more

The Bruceton American Legion Post 180 honored five individuals with awards during Central High School’s Academic and Leadership Banquet at the Carroll County Civic Center April 24. Award recipients were Joe Bishop, Post Commander; Reyna Joyner, Citizenship; Drake Northup, Boys State; Owen Crocker, Americanism; and Derreld Robinson, Post Adjutant. more

Eric Flores, of Henry, and Ashton Parsley, of McKenzie, recently earned certifications in information technology systems. more

In April, seven students from the Tennessee College of Applied Technology–McKenzie were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society. more

McKENZIE (May 19) — Six persons retired from McKenzie Special School District at the conclusion of the 2022-23 school year. more

The Carroll County Technical Center announces Daniel Latimer, a senior at McKenzie High School, was awarded the Hospitality Tennessee Education Foundation Scholarship for the HospitalityTN Education Foundation. more

CARROLL COUNTY — A total of 316 high school seniors from five high schools in Carroll County received diplomas during the past week. West Carroll graduated 72 on Thursday, May 11. On Friday, Clarksburg graduated 20 and Hollow Rock-Bruceton graduated 39; Saturday, Huntingdon graduated 100 and on Sunday, McKenzie graduated 85. In The Banner’s coverage area is Gleason with an expected 36 to graduate on Friday, May 19. The McKenzie Banner will publish the names and individual photos of all graduates from the five special school districts in Carroll County and Gleason. That will publish on May 30. more