McKenzie Special School District has 1,214 students enrolled for the 2020-2021 school year, director of schools Lynn Watkins reported at the Aug. 4 board meeting. He estimated the school system would gain a few more students within the week.
McKenzie is one of three special school districts in the county that began school on the Aug. 4.
“There are 100 students taking the virtual program,” said Watkins.
He said when he visited the elementary school on the fourth, even the youngest students were wearing their masks.
“It’s been a good morning,” he said.
During the meeting, the first of two required readings on the Title 1X and Sexual Harassment Policy passed.
The policy calls for a coordinator who will be Watkins and investigators who will be guidance counselors in each of the three buildings. The Title IX coordinator will be Ladona Herrin, supervisor of instruction.
The policy also establishes guidelines that must be followed in handling such cases.
Food service bids were approved on several items. They were: produce, Volco/HPS/GFS; milk and milk products, Volco/Prairie Farms; ice cream products, Volco/Turner Dairy; food/non-food supplies, Volco/HPS; bread, Flowers Baking Co.
Watkins said the school system gets a good deal on its food bids through a cooperative that includes 30 school districts and 159 schools. By having so many schools involved in the bid, the cost is less.
Three budget amendments were passed. One was for a Safe School grant which will be used for School Resource Officer (SRO) contract. One was $25,000 federal projects money that will be used for re-intervention for K-8 special needs students.
During Watkins’ director’s report portion of the board meeting, he recognized retiring board member Lance Rider with a monetary gift in appreciation for his service as a school board member. This was his last meeting as heh did not rerun for his position in the Aug. 6 election. School board member Norman French, who resigned recently, and chairman John Austin, whose term was up and didn’t rerun, were also supposed to have been recognized for their years on the board. However, neither one was present.
“Your support has been outstanding,” Watkins said of Rider. “Thank you so much for your service.”
Rider called it a blessing to have had the opportunity to serve. “It’s easy to do when you have good leadership,” he said.
Watkins thanked several local businesses for the $5,300 donation that was raised through optometrist Mark Smith to assist with the purchase of COVID supplies. Among the donors were Smith and Smith Optometry, Guy Grissom of State Farm Insurance, Maria’s Mexican Restaurant, Swalley Heating and Cooling and Bennett’s Hardware.
Twenty-two substitute teachers were hired for the 2020-2021 school year.
They included: Ivory Adkisson, Morgan Bromley, Antonia Cervantes, Genise Corder, Blake Cossey, Tammie Daily, Sarahn Deloach, Rachel Edlin, Sara Featherson, Tammy Gordon, Regina Green, Lindsay Grissom, Kelly Henry, Derrick Hubble, Dusty Johnson, Diane McClerkin, Jean Smith, Marsha Smith, Courtney Travelstead, Jennifer Van Dyke Boyd, Emily Daily and Melissa Jones.
Watkins said the Fall District meeting is set for Sept. 29 at the Paris Special School District.
Mandy Drewry, coordinated school health supervisor, advised board members about the various health programs that had benefited the students in all three schools this past year.
She said McKenzie was the only school in the county that reduced obesity. Such programs as World Milk Day, Suicide Awareness, Health Fair, Walk to School, were initiated this year through Coordinated Health.
