McKENZIE (March 7) — During the Tuesday evening meeting of the McKenzie Special School District Board of Education board members agreed to add cross country to McKenzie High School’s slate of athletic programs. Faculty member Beth Mathis will serve as the coach.

In the reversal of last year’s decision, McKenzie High School is retroactively changing its grading scale to match that of Tennessee’s requirement for HOPE/Lottery Scholarships. High school principal Kelly Spivey informed the board of the extra work required to convert the grading scale currently used by the school to the state’s requirements. The change would not hurt the students in any way. It would help numerous students in regards to GPA and those who were border line failing a subject. The new 10-point scale goes as follows: A=90-100; B= 80-89; C= 70-79; D= 60-69; F=0-59. Being retroactive, the new grading scale will amend grades posted in the Fall 2022 term.

Board Policies were added or amended as required by state law on the second reading. 4212: Virtual Education Program - 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 temporary and shall not replace a student’s regular instructional program. 4301: Interscholastic Athletics - 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 heat illness prevention courses provided by the Tennessee Department of Health. 6319: - Alternative School Programs - 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.

October 1, 2023 and March 14, 2024 were approved as data days for the 2023-24 school calendar.

Under the director’s report, Mr. Lynn Watkins informed the board of the following hires: Sophia Sacilowski - education assistant; Amanda Rogers - cafeteria; Teresa Siler - cafeteria; and Anatasia Kirk - cafeteria. The following were hired as substitutes: Teryn Beveridge; Tammy Graves; Peyton LaMonte; and Mercedes Wright.