McKenzie School Board Approves Building Upgrades

The McKenzie Special School District (MSSD) Board of Education met Tuesday, May 5, at the MSSD Board Room with a packed agenda, discussing several building improvements.

In attendance were Chairman LaShonda Williams, Vice Chairman Spiros Roditis, Treasurer George Cassidy and board members Misty Aird, Chad Brown, Karen Fowler, Bobby Young and McKenzie High School (MHS) School Board Representative Gracie Aird.

The board discussed a drainage issue at the McKenzie Elementary School’s (MES) bus loop area. Director of Schools Dr. Justin Barden informed board members that the area at the school’s east door sits “almost in a hole,” with the playground sitting higher than the bus loop area.

Dr. Barden met with architects from TLM Associates to survey the area and look for potential remedies for the school’s drainage issue, who recommended adding drainage culverts to both sides of the parking area.

The architect provided a budget estimate of $110,800 for drainage improvements, which would include site demolition, sidewalk replacement, drainage piping, trench drains and full-depth concrete pavement replacement. The estimate also includes a contingency allowance to account for unforeseen conditions.

The board discussed next steps but did not yet make a motion to continue with the improvements. Upon approval, the board will open the project for bidding.

The board also discussed and approved multi-faceted restroom upgrades at McKenzie Middle School (MMS).

The middle school restroom upgrades include updating toilet partitions in fifth through eighth-grade restrooms (32 total stalls). The partition project, including the purchase and installation of partitions, is quoted at $25,530.

A bigger piece of the upgrade is installing new flooring in the fifth, sixth and eighth-grade boys and girls restrooms. Fuller Industries, who did the flooring in the middle school locker rooms, proposed to install granulated flooring over the current tile floor in the restrooms. The only thing requiring removal is the side trim in the restrooms. The quoted flooring installation cost is $37,812.

With the board’s approval, the district will open a bid process for the middle school’s toilet partition and flooring upgrades.

Dr. Barden is also waiting on a quote to repaint the middle school restrooms.

The board voted unanimously to move forward with MMS restroom upgrades.

The board approved a $56,255 bid from Culley Mechanical Services, LLC to install a Reznor make up air heater in the MHS kitchen. The bid includes the heater, electrical connections, gas connections and a crane to set the unit.

Dr. Barden then presented the board with amendments to 11 policies in the MSSD Board of Education Policy Manual [see “McKenzie School Board Hears Policy Amendments”]. The amendments are in line with the Tennessee School Board Association.

The board approved a request for the MHS Lady Rebels to travel to Murray State University for a basketball camp.

In the human resources report, Dr. Barden reported the impending retirements of middle school music teacher Veda Haney and elementary school cafeteria manager Kathy Barcroft. Jennifer Allen, Tara Sharp, Molly Hannah Wilson and Christy Hampton turned in their resignations. Amy Reed was hired on as a McKenzie High School assistant for the remainder of the 2025-26 school year.

New hires for the 2026-27 school year include Victoria Ashley (MMS ELA), Jay Taylor (MMS Stem/Head Football Coach), Sydney Luker (MMS ELA), Brooke Rodriguez (MES Cafeteria Manager) and Valerie Dillion (MHS Education Assistant).

The May 5 meeting concluded Gracie Aird’s term as MHS School Board Representative. Madelyn Morris is the incoming representative for the 2026-27 school year, starting in August.

The MSSD Board of Education’s next meeting is a Budget Workshop on Tuesday, June 30.