News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
White County Middle School’s brand new greenhouse is being dedicated to the district’s former CTE Director, Tim Mackie.
Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger said Mackie led all the district’s CTE programs but was especially influential in the FFA and agricultural programs. Dronebarger said the dedication is much deserved tribute for a figure who has been well-beloved by the entire White County community.
“We have a new, innovative facility,” Dronebarger said. “We have, you know, middle schoolers that are taking high school credits in FFA, excuse me, in agriculture. And so, you know, that’s a big step and it has a lot to do with people like Mr. Mackie who laid the foundation, laid the groundwork and made those things happen. So we like to pay homage where it’s due and certainly he was a big part of that.”
School Board Chairperson Bob Young said Mackie meets the standards for a board policy that says buildings can only be dedicated to living people if they gave “exemplary service” to the district. Young said the dedication was recommended by CTE Director Lane Ward.
“Mr. Mackie gave a lot of time for this district,” Board Member Jayson McDonald said.
Multiple board members asked if they are allowed to dedicate the building to someone who is still alive and retired fairly recently. Dronebarger said these matters were not an issue for Mackie’s dedication.
“A single building on a campus with multiple buildings or a specific area on the campus may be named for a living person, provided he or she has made an outstanding contribution to that school,” Dronebarger said. “And the naming of such building or specific area shall not supplant the facility’s name.”
Mackie retired at the end of the 2021-2022 school year after nearly thirty years in the district.
