Murray ISD -

After the completion of reading The Diary of Anne Frank, Murray Middle School eighth grade students participated in a day of silence to recognize the lives of those studied in the unit.
“This experience is first and most importantly about us acknowledging and paying tribute to the lives of the people involved and their experience that we have learned about in class. In addition, it is designed to help students better understand how difficult it was to go through a day in the manner of Anne and the other members of the annex space. We know we are barely scratching the surface, but the goal is to give students a better understanding of just how difficult even daily life was,” Fielder said.
Fielder said this is an opportunity to celebrate the courage of those worked tirelessly to protect others during this difficult time in history.

Dr. David A. Meinschein EdD., Murray Independent School District Superintendent, announced Hunter Carter is the new Director of the Murray Tiger Band. “ It is with great excitement that we officially welcome Mr. Hunter Carter as the new Director of the Murray Tiger Band. Mr. Carter worked diligently over the past months as the interim demonstrating his leadership, expertise, and passion,” Meinschein said. “ I look forward to the upcoming year and the continued Tradition, Pride, and Excellence of the Murray Tiger Band.”

A native of Madisonville, Ky., Carter earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Murray State University in 2018. While a student at Murray State, he was an accomplished trumpet performer, appearing at the National Trumpet Competition for four consecutive years and performing at the International Trumpet Guild Conference in 2014. He has been a teacher in the Murray Independent School District since 2019, where he began his career as a general music teacher at Murray Elementary School. In 2023, Carter was appointed Assistant Director of Bands and Choir Director at Murray High School. In 2024, he became Director of Bands at Murray Middle School. Currently, he serves as Director of Bands at Murray Middle School and as Interim Director of Bands at Murray High School. Carter has taught and assisted at multiple grade levels, including the marching band program, sixth, seventh, and eighth grade middle school bands, the high school symphonic band, the Murray High School Jazz Ensemble, and several small chamber ensembles.
Most recently, Carter led the Murray High School Jazz Ensemble in a featured conference performance at the Kentucky Music Educators Association (KMEA) Conference. Under his direction, all ensembles have consistently earned Distinguished ratings at the Kentucky Music Educators Association (KMEA) Concert Assessment and KMEA Choral Assessment.

The Murray Tiger Band has achieved continued success during Carter’s tenure, earning KMEA Class 3A State Marching Band Championships in 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025. The program also earned Bands of America (BOA) Class 1A Grand National Championships in 2021 and 2024, and most recently placed third in Class 1A at the BOA Grand National Championships this past year.

The 2022 KMEA First District Elementary Teacher of the Year, Carter has adjudicated marching band competitions throughout Tennessee, Carter has served as an adjudicator for numerous solo and ensemble events throughout Kentucky. An active member of the Kentucky Music Educators Association (KMEA) and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Carter is committed to providing comprehensive music education experiences that promote musical excellence, student growth, and lifelong engagement in the arts.

“I am very excited to begin this new role in the Murray Independent School District. This district is near and dear to my heart, and I am truly looking forward to the upcoming year and continuing to serve our students, families, and community,” Carter said.

(pictured from left): Colt Carmen, Murray Elementary School, Ali Yarali, Murray High School, Eymen Kuzey, Murray Middle School, Mayor Bob Rogers (center) Bryce Pile-5th Grade North Elementary, 9th Grade CCHS Jackson Wyatt and 7th Grade CCMS Hannady Loveless.

-Murray Independent School District and Calloway County School District students with Mayor Bob Rogers signing the Gifted and Talented Education Month proclamation. Students met with the Mayor Rogers as he and Kenny Imes, Calloway County Judge Executive, signed the February 2026 Gifted Education Month Proclamation.

The Commonwealth of Kentucky and the Kentucky Association for Gifted Education recognize the need to increase public awareness regarding the unique educational, social, and emotional needs of gifted and talented students. The goal of helping gifted children reach their full potential must be shared by the entire community, including policymakers, educators, business leaders, civic organizations, and parents. The economic future of Kentucky depends on developing all the Commonwealth’s students.

The Murray Independent School District Gifted and Talented Program is directed by Sheri Muehleman. The Calloway County School District Gifted and Talented Program is directed by Shannon Ordunez. #murrayschools

Congratulations to our Murray Middle School All State Band Recipients


All State Middle School Band will take place at Eastern Kentucky University - March 6-7. Students will rehearse with guest conductors and other middle school band students across the state and perform a concert on Saturday March 7th. #murrayschools

Shout Out to MMS PTO Cynthia Kramer-and all MMS PTO members for organizing the annual Candy Gram fundraisesr. Mrs. Kramer assisted in preparing over 800 candy grams purchased for MMS students and MMS personnel as an MMS PTO Fundraiser.

All funding raised assists the MMS PTO in each they sponsor for students. #murrayschools

(picture from l to r): Maggie Finney, Alicia L., Elin Davis, Avery Dublin, Quinn Gibbs, Shiva Shastri, Ezra Riquelme. Middle: CeCe Futrell, Olivia DeBonis, Althea Hultman, Sylvie Beckers, Wyatt Riquelme. Back: Daisy Mireles, Wyatt Hampton, and DeeDee Shastri.

The Murray Middle School Speech Team achieved the Team Sweepstakes-Regional Runner Up in the Lakes Regional Tournament.
Regional Champions:
Broadcasting - Henry Mallory
Dramatic Interpretation - CeCe Futrell
Extemporaneous Speaking - DeeDee Shastri
Impromptu Speaking - DeeDee Shastri
Poetry - DeeDee Shastri
Storytelling - Elin Davis
Regional Runners Up:
Duo Interpretation - Claudia DeBonis & Alicia L.

In addition to these Regional Champions and Runners Up, these students from Murray Middle also qualified to advance on to the State Tournament: Elin Davis (Broadcasting), Avery Dublin (Broadcasting), Daisy Mireles (Declamation), Claudia DeBonis (Declamation), Daisy Mireles (Dramatic Interpretation), CeCe Futrell (Dramatic Interpretation), Claudia DeBonis & Alicia L. (Duo Acting) CeCe Futrell & Shiva Shastri (Duo Interpretation), Maggie Finney & Quinn Gibbs (Duo Interpretation), Wyatt Riquelme (Extemporaneous Speaking), Ezra Riquelme (Extemporaneous Speaking), Henry Mallory (Humorous Interpretation), Shiva Shastri (Humorous Interpretation), Elin Davis (Humorous Interpretation), Wyatt Riquelme (Impromptu Speaking), Ezra Riquelme (Impromptu Speaking), Sylvie Beckers & Wyatt Riquelme (Improvisational Duo), Avery Dublin & Thea Hultman (Improvisational Duo), Sylvie Beckers (Oratory), Henry Mallory (Oratory), Daisy Mireles (Poetry), Maggie Finney (Poetry), CeCe Futrell (Prose), Quinn Gibbs (Prose), Avery Dublin (Prose), Thea Hultman (Storytelling), and Claudia DeBonis (Storytelling).

The Murray Middle School speech team is coached by Michael Robinson and Jennifer McCafferty. #murrayschools

Front (left to right): Jade Green, Zoey Mason, Mira Kinsley, Anastasia Arkova, Ellie Klarer, Laney Like, Ali Yarali, Will Burkeen. Middle: Roman Anderson, Faith McCafferty, Vanessa Oster, Alexis Ray, Emma Bailey, Chyanne Miller, Olivia Camfield. Top: Lydia Smith, Susie Todd, Olivia McLaughlin, Arlo Vance. Not pictured: Gavin Gorman and Khush Patel.


Murray High School Speech claimed the Kentucky High School Speech (KHSSL) Regional Championship title for the eleventh year in a row at the KHSSL Regional Speech Tournament this past weekend.

Kentucky students from Paducah to Paintsville spoke in the annual (KHSSL) Regional Speech Tournaments.

Kentucky’s seven Regions hold tournaments at both the Junior and Senior levels each year. Each Division qualifies students for the Junior State Speech Tournament (grades 4-8) – coming February 27 and 28 in Florence – and for the Senior State Speech Tournament (grades 9-12) – March 13 and 14 in Murray.

At each Regional contest, Regional Champions and Runners Up are named in each of the twelve Junior and fourteen Senior speech categories. Additionally, team awards are given for the top three teams in each of the Regions.
Murray High School winners in the Lakes Region.
Team Sweepstakes: Regional Champions
Regional Champions:
Declamation - Lydia Smith
Duo Interpretation - Ellie Klarer & Laney Like
Extemporaneous Speaking - Gavin Gorman
Humorous Interpretation - Faith McCafferty
Oratory - Olivia McLaughlin
Prose - Vanessa Oster
Storytelling - Laney Like
Regional Runners Up:
Declamation - Roman Anderson
Dramatic Interpretation - Faith McCafferty
Extemporaneous Speaking - Ali Yarali
Humorous Interpretation - Emma Bailey
Poetry - Anastasia Arkova
Program Oral Interpretation - Arlo Vance
Storytelling - Mira Kinsley

In addition to these Regional Champions and Runners Up, these students from Murray High also qualified to advance on to the State Tournament: Anastasia Arkova (Broadcasting), Lydia Smith (Broadcasting), Will Burkeen (Broadcasting), Chyanne Miller (Declamation), Lylah Bennett (Dramatic Interpretation), Laney Like (Dramatic Interpretation), Vanessa Oster & Alexis Ray (Duo Interpretation), Jade Green & Zoey Mason (Duo Interpretation), Roman Anderson (Extemp), Olivia Camfield (Humorous Interpretation), Ali Yarali (Impromptu), Olivia McLaughlin (Impromptu), Emma Bailey and Zoey Mason (Improvisational Duo), Mira Kinsley and Arlo Vance (Improvisational Duo), Ali Yarali (Informative Speaking), Zoey Mason (Informative Speaking), Jade Green (Informative Speaking), Khush Patel (Oratory), Susie Todd (Poetry), Khush Patel (Poetry), Alexis Ray (Program Oral Interpretation), Emma Bailey (Program Oral Interpretation), Ellie Klarer (Prose), Arlo Vance (Prose), and Khush Patel (Storytelling).

The Murray High School speech team is coached by Michael Robinson with Jennifer McCafferty and Drew Thompson. #murrayschools

Happy Valentine's Day from the Murray Independent School District. Our Murray Preschool Headstart and Murray Elementary School Students celebrated with red valentines and hearts throughout our Tiger campuses! #murrayschools

There will be no school in the Murray Independent School District, Monday, February 16, 2026 in observance of President's Day. #murrayschools

During the Murray State University Math Day competition Murray High School students ranked in the top ten of awards.

Individual Results:

Lower Level Exam:
Sumin Park — 1st Place

Upper Level Exam:
Anastasia Arkova — 5th Place
Brandon Daughaday — 4th Place
**Both of these students were awarded potential scholarships for the MSU Math Department.

The Murray Independent School District sends a huge appreciation applause today for our Safety Resource Officers:

Mike Ray-Murray High School
Patrick Morris-Murray Middle School
Jeremy Partin-Murray Elementary School

The safety and care each of you provide each day to our district is felt across our campuses.

#murrayschools

We are appreciative to CFSB for sponsoring our Murray High School students to attend the monthly Murray Calloway Chamber of Commerce community luncheons and breafast updates. #murrayschools

During half-time of Friday night's Murray High School Homecoming Game-the Little Murray Tiger Cheerleaders performed. The little Tiger cheerleaders attended an an after-school camp with Murray High School Cheerleaders to prepare for their performance. Great Performance little Tiger cheerleaders!

Thanks to Kate Chipman with the MHS Yearbook staff for capturing their performance! #murrayschools

Murray High School junior students attended breakfast with Dr. Ronald Patterson, Murray State University President. These students attended Murray State University’s sophomore summit last year by invitation. Now, as juniors, they were invited back for Breakfast with the MSU President. Students were able to talk to Patterson about his position and life at MSU. The event also featured students from Marshall, Calloway, and New Covenant. (Photo one from left: Dr. Patterson, MSU president, Aiden Castleberry, Asa Munsey, Olivia Smee, Addison Shultz, and Brooke Burgess). (Photo two: Dr. Ronald Patterson, MSU president, pictured with Murray High School students, and students from Marshall, Calloway, and New Covenant. #murrayschools

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With more than 900 centers serving every corner of our incredible Commonwealth, FRYSC Coordinators continue to answer the call first made in 1991 — #WhateverItTakes. For 35 years, FRYSC Coordinators have shown up with heart, grit, and purpose, building powerful relationships between schools, homes, and communities to ensure students and families have what they need to thrive.

FRYSC Coordinators do extraordinary work with one clear mission: helping every student reach their fullest potential and succeed well into adulthood. This year’s celebration is especially meaningful as we honor 35 years of impact, dedication, and life-changing work across Kentucky, and that deserves to be celebrated in a BIG way!

We appreciate Melissa Durham, FRYSC Director, Shelia Scott, FRYSC Assistant, and Andrea Morris, The Den Services Director. They definifely DO WHATEVER IT TAKES Each and Every Day! #murrayschools #kybuilt #35years #fryscstrong #whateverittakes

Dr. Ron K. Patterson, Ed.D., Murray State University President, will be the guest speaker at the Murray High School Black History Assembly in the MHS Taylor Gymnasium (main gym) , Friday, February 20, 2026.

The “Celebrating Black History Month: Representing Leadership, Education and Commitment.” event will begin at 2 p.m. with a Meet and Greet Reception at 1:30 p.m. The community is invited to attend.

Dr. Ron K. Patterson joined Murray State University as president on July 1, 2025. He was unanimously selected by the Board of Regents and members of the Presidential Search Committee following a comprehensive nationwide search. With more than two decades of leadership experience in higher education, he is committed to expanding academic initiatives, advancing student success, and cultivating collaborative partnerships on and off campus.

President Patterson believes that higher education is about relationships, resilience, and realization. His interactions with students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, legislators and friends of the university fosters collaboration, inspires partnerships, and continues the tradition of Murray State University, the finest place we know.

Patterson and his wife, Jenny, have two children, Olivia, and Braylon, and a dog named Tundra. #murrayschools

The Murray Independent Transportation Department shares a heartfelt message in the passing for our former bus driver, Mr. Chuck Howe-Bus Driver #1901. The Murray Independent School District offers our sincerest condolences. He will be missed. #murrayschools

Congratulations to the 2026 Murray High School Homecoming Queen, Greer Miller, and her court from left: Presley Hatchett, Naya James, Ellen Rose Drew, Greer Miller, Bria Stiff, Rebekah Ellis, and Mercy Klotz. #murrayschools