McKENZIE, Tenn. — McKenzie Special School District’s Board of Education converted a parent-teacher-conference day into an instruction day at their meeting on Tuesday, March 3. The board also approved the 2027-2028 district calendar, as well as several club trips throughout the spring, and Director of Schools, Dr. Justin Barden, briefly discussed the sales tax legislation in response to Clarksburg’s Virtual Academy.
Weather Makeup Days
The board unanimously approved converting March 19, currently scheduled as a parent-teacher conference day, into a regular in-person instruction day.
According to Dr. Barden, March 20 will be a report card day, and students will go into spring break without using any additional makeup days.
Barden also noted that the district received a waiver from the state for snow days used during the last week of January and the first week of February.
2027-2028 District Calendar
Additionally, the board unanimously approved the 2027-2028 school calendar, which aligns with what Carroll County Schools had approved at their December meeting.
Barden noted that the calendar has some minor changes from previous years, including moving elementary and middle school parent-teacher conference days up one week, to March 16, 2028.
“We felt like we would have better participation if we [moved it up],” Barden said.
The calendar also includes updated language from “makeup days in excess of six” to “use of stockpile inclement weather days at school board discretion.”
“You all have been good to work with us and understand the use of those stockpile days,” Barden told the board.
He added that the district posts calendars early to accommodate parents and staff who like to make plans in advance of the school year.
Student Travel
The board approved several overnight and day trips for McKenzie High School student organizations throughout the spring.
Nine DECA members will travel to Atlanta, Georgia for the DECA International Career Development Conference in late April as an overnight trip.
Twelve Beta Club members and three chaperones received approval to attend the National Leadership Conference in Gatlinburg on March 11, also an overnight trip.
Ten FBLA students and two chaperones will attend the State Leadership Conference in Chattanooga, traveling by van.
Eight FFA members and two chaperones will attend the FFA State Convention March 21-25 during spring break, also traveling by van.
All trip requests were approved unanimously without discussion.
Director’s Report
In his director’s report, Barden congratulated the girls and boys basketball programs on their seasons, noting that while the girls’ season “didn’t end the way they wanted to,” both teams had excellent seasons.
Barden invited board members to attend McKenzie Elementary School’s Read Across America character day activities on Friday, March 6.
He provided an update on legislative matters, noting there is “a lot going on in legislation right now” that directly involves school systems across the state. Barden mentioned scanning through “close to 100 bills that are related to education in some form of fashion.”
Specifically, Barden said legislators filed a caption on the district’s behalf regarding Carroll County sales tax issues with South Carroll.
“Still working through that, not making a lot of headway right now,” he said, adding that he hopes to meet with legislators during the TOSS (Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents) conference this week.
“I will say there are some positive pieces,” Barden noted about pending legislation. “We’re hoping that some of this legislation comes through that will benefit us.”
Barden reported several completed facilities projects, including the high school roof, which is complete and awaiting a final walk-through scheduled for Friday with Jerry Hartsfield and TLM.
Additional security film work has been finished, and extensive tree trimming around the elementary school and football field has been completed.
“Just looks a lot better,” Barden said of the tree work. “Hopefully we’ll avoid some of the down branches and some of the neighbors over here complaining to us.”
April Meeting Change
The board agreed to hold their April 7 meeting at the high school library at 5 p.m., 30 minutes earlier than usual. The change accommodates the high school awards banquet, which begins at 6 p.m. that evening, allowing board members who wish to attend both events to do so.
The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for April 7 at 5 p.m. at McKenzie High School.
