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McKenzie School Board Delays Naming of Football Stadium, Approves Alumni Request

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McKENZIE (February 8) — The naming of the school’s football stadium in honor of Coach Wade Comer was postponed by the McKenzie Special School District Board of Education in the February 8 meeting.

Board member Bobby Young made a motion to remove the item from the agenda as the School Board members devote their time to the search for a new director of schools. Lynn Watkins, director, is retiring June 30, 2023.

As for the search for the new director, Chairman LaShonda Williams announced the School Board chose to search without the paid services of the Tennessee School Boards Association. A few applications for the position have arrived and others are due by the February 20 deadline. Once all the applications are in-hand, The Banner will publish the names of the applicants.

Applicants must have a professional license in Education, at least a master’s in Education, a minimum of 10 years experience including at least three years of supervision/administration and, once hired, must reside within the geographic region of the McKenzie Special School District.

Lynn Watkins announced the newly formed McKenzie High School Alumni Association requested use of the school’s logo, mottos, etc. as part of the mission of the new MHS Alumni Association, a soon-to-be non-profit organization. The Board unanimously approved to allow the Alumni Association to use.

The Board added March 23 as a student day instead of a data day for teachers. The added day replaces the December 2 school holiday declared for MHS Rebels to play in the TSSAA championship game in Chattanooga.

Board Policies were added or amended as required by state law.

A policy for Virtual Learning was added to address dangerous or extreme weather conditions, serious outbreaks of illness affecting or endangering students or staff, or during the staff and faculty of end-of-course examination. Virtual learning is a temporary and shall not replace a student’s regular instructional program.

Another policy deals with severe weather during playing conditions during interscholastic sports. When severe weather is forecast, suspension of play shall be discussed with all players, coaches and officials, if applicable.

All coaches shall annually complete a heat illness prevention courses provided by the Tennessee Department of Health.

The final policy change involved the privilege of the school ‘not to serve’ a student who is expelled if the infraction is extreme and is part of the zero-tolerance policy.

Watkins announced construction is temporarily halted on the multi-purpose sports facility at the high school because of wet weather. The steel is on-site, and construction is expected to be completed this summer. One of the pressing issues is the reconstruction of the MHS football team’s dirt practice field. It was displaced because of the dirt work for the new multi-purpose facility.

In the Director’s Report, Watkins announced the resignation of kindergarten teacher Hope Powell. She was replaced by Lindsey Holt, who is teaching on an interim basis.

Two substitute teachers were employed. They were Brittney Minor and Hayden Thomas.

Following adjournment, several of the board members huddled with each other. The Banner cautioned members about possible violations of the Open Meetings Act - a law requiring all deliberations and discussions of a public body be conducted in public.