The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education held a work session on Tuesday, January 28, 2020. Several key items were discussed, including:
- A celebration of the Board in recognition of School Board Appreciation Week;
- A report on the upcoming Douglass High School tribute basketball game (Saturday, Feb. 1 at Dobyns-Bennett);
- An update on the district's Portrait of a Graduate work;
- A review of policies introduced for potential action at an upcoming meeting;
- A report on KCS communications efforts; and
- A preview of the upcoming 2018-19 KCS Annual Report.
Detailed Work Session Notes
The work session began with a celebration of the KCS Board of Education in recognition of School Board Appreciation Week in Tennessee.
- The week of January 27-31, 2020 has been designated as School Board Appreciation Week by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee.
- The KCS Board was individually and collectively honored for going above and beyond for working to advocate and support the work of KCS students and staff.
- In addition to a small gift for each Board member, books were presented to a representative of each KCS school to be placed in their school library on behalf of the Board. Accepting books on behalf of their school tonight were:
- Palmer Center - Ben Irvin
- Adams Elementary - Kerrington Slagle (5th)
- Jackson Elementary - McKynleigh Byington (1st)
- Jefferson Elementary - Quinn & Nora Vetter (5th, 1st)
- Johnson Elementary - Mathias Guffey (4th)
- Kennedy Elementary - Maddox McKinney (K)
- Lincoln Elementary - Madeline & Anne Love (3rd, 1st)
- Roosevelt Elementary - Emma & Elisah Roberts (2nd, 2nd)
- Washington Elementary - Kylah Crawford (2nd)
- Robinson Middle School - Caroline Clabaugh (8th)
- Sevier Middle School - Amaya & Jeremiah Wolfe (8th, 6th)
- Cora Cox Academy - Lilly Zeairs (10th)
- D-B EXCEL - Cooper Willis (10th)
- Dobyns-Bennett High School - Julia Brown (12th)
Dobyns-Bennett High School Athletic Director Mr. Frankie DeBusk shared information with the Board regarding the upcoming Douglass High School tribute basketball games at D-B.
- The games will take place at D-B on Saturday, February 1, 2020 and are free to all in attendance.
- Varsity Girls will begin at 4:30 p.m. Varsity Boys will begin at 6 p.m.
- The games will honor the legacy of Douglass High School and the role it plays in the heritage of Kingsport. Special recognitions will take place between the girls and boys games, as well as at halftime of the boys game, including the recognition of former Douglass players. A special reception will be held prior to the games for Douglass alumni in attendance.
- Both the girls and boys varsity teams will wear Douglass High School replica uniforms in honor during the tribute games.
Assistant Superintendent - Instruction Dr. Rhonda Stringham presented an update to the Board regarding the Portrait of a Graduate work taking places across KCS.
- The Portrait of a Graduate vision articulates the community's aspiration for all KCS students, describing the skills and attributes that KCS students need to be successful in the future.
- The Portrait of a Graduate design process involved a sustained community conversation leading to a shared agreement about a unique community-owned picture of what KCS graduates need for success.
- The vision describes a KCS graduate who will be able to demonstrate perseverance, empathy, critical thinking, adaptability, and integrity.
Assistant Superintendent - Mr. Andy True provided a review of potential policy additions and revisions, to be considered on First Reading at the February Board meeting.
- 1.100 - School District-School Board Legal Status and Authority (revised)
- 1.101 - Role of the Board of Education* (new)
- 1.202 - Duties of Board Members* (new)
- 1.2021 (previously 1.1061) - Boardsmanship Code of Conduct* (revised)
- 1.106 - Code of Ethics (revised)
- 1.400 - School Board Meetings (revised)
- 2.200 - Annual Operating Budget (revised)
- 6.304 - Student Discrimination, Harassment, Bullying, Cyber-bullying and Intimidation (revised)
- 1.901 - Charter School Applications (revised from 1.704 - Charter Schools)
Mr. True and Communications Editor Mrs. Marybeth McLain presented the annual review of KCS communications effort to the Board.
- All communications work is aligned to the vision of striving to engage KCS families and the community.
- This focus on engagement includes work such as the production of various publications, marketing materials, event planning and facilitation, promotion, and research and development.
- Through a partnership with D-B, two student interns are now supporting the communications efforts of the district.
- The department also supports the KCS emergency response plan and other internal and external district support.
- Other key district communications efforts include WCSK 90.3 FM and multiple social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Mr. True and Mrs. McLain also presented a preview of the upcoming 2018-19 KCS Annual Report.
- The Annual Report will once again be in calendar form, highlighting students, staff, and the many programs taking place across KCS.
- The report is currently at the printer and will be mailed to KCS households in the coming days.
The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at 6 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Tennessee Room of the Administrative Support Center (400 Clinchfield Street).
Read and follow our blog, "
We Are KCS" to learn more about the great people and programs of Kingsport City Schools. Check it out at
www.WeAreKCS.com.
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