The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education held a called meeting and work session on Thursday, October 20, 2016. Several key items were discussed, including:
- Consideration of furniture purchases for the new D-B EXCEL facility;
- A proposed architectural firm contract for the Regional Science and Technology Center;
- A report on the recent Eastern States Consortium meeting and site visit;
- A report on development of a work ethic diploma; and
- Review of two potential new policies and suggested revisions of two existing policies.
Called Meeting and Work Session Audio
Mr. Andy True, Assistant Superintendent - Administration, reviewed a proposal for the purchase of furnishings for the new D-B EXCEL (DBE) facility.
- The furnishings will be purchased in two phases, with Phase 1 considered this evening.
- The Phase 1 purchase would utilize National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA) pricing.
- The purchase price of Phase 1 items will be 174,704.93.
- Items included in this purchase are large furnishings needed to be installed prior to completion of construction.
- The second phase of purchases will cost approximately $75,000 and take place at a later time. .
- Phase 1 furnishings will be paid from budgeted capital improvement funds
- After review and consideration, the Board voted 5-0 to approve phase one of the purchase of furnishings for DBE from Workspace Interiors.
Mr. True also reviewed details of a proposed contract with Perkins + Will for design development work on the Regional Science and Technology Center.
- The agreement would allow the architectural firm to continue their work on the Regional Science and Technology Center by entering the design development phase.
- The projected cost for the design development phase is $102,526.
- At the October 4 Board meeting, Budget Amendment #2 was approved, which provided for funding for this new phase.
- After review and consideration, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the contract with Perkins + Will, allowing them to continue into the design development phase for the Regional Science and Technology Center.
Detailed Work Session Notes
Dr. Janice Irvin, principal of Kennedy Elementary School, Mrs. Julie Malone, Director of Alternative Learning, and Mrs. Shelia Newland, principal of Lincoln Elementary School, provided a report on the recent Eastern States Consortium meeting.
- The site visit to Upper Arlington, OH took place on September 11-13, 2016.
- The Eastern States Consortium is a coalition of high-performing school districts located in the eastern half of the U.S. that collaborates to share information and best practices.
- The ESC serves as a source of ongoing district professional learning, providing a broader national perspective on educational strategies and district improvement.
Dr. Brian Cinnamon, Chief Academic Officer - Secondary, provided a report on the development of a Work Ethic diploma for the State of Tennessee.
- In August, the First TN school districts met to discuss the Labor Education Alignment Program (LEAP) grant work that was implemented in Hawkins and Hamblen counties, with support from TCAT Morristown.
- Hawkins County and TCAT Morristown representatives shared the development of criteria used to award these diplomas in partnership with local businesses.
- The LEAP 2.0 grant has been approved, allowing work on the Work Ethic Diploma program to continue in Greene, Hamblen, and Hawkins counties.
- Northeast State is seeking a grant that would support all First TN districts in implementing this initiative.
- Criteria for the Work Ethic Diploma is under revision with further discussion planned for October 17.
- Eighty-eight Work Ethic Diplomas have been awarded in Hawkins County, with students earning hours at TCAT in Morristown. ACT Work-Keys and Career Ready 101 have been utilized to support post-secondary readiness and dual credit opportunities have increased.
- The program, which owes its success to strong industry support, is for select high school seniors at a cost of about $7 per student.
Mr. Andy True, Assistant Superintendent - Administration, reviewed two potential new policies and suggested revisions to two existing policies with the Board.
- Potential New Policies
- Policy 4.502 - Parental and Family Involvement.
- This new policy would meet the requirement that each local school board adopt a policy that encourages the involvement of parents in their children's education.
- Policy 4.802 - Student Equal Access (Limited Public Forum).
- This new policy would address the requirement that Boards develop a policy to ensure that a LEA does not discriminate against a student regarding voluntary expressions of religious viewpoints and provides for establishment of a limited public forum for student speakers at school events.
- Suggested Revisions
- Policy 1.108 - Nepotism.
- This existing policy may be revised to more accurately reflect the language of Tennessee Code Annotated 49-2-202(a)(3), including specific definitions of "relative" as it relates to hiring practices.
- 1.400 - School Board Meetings.
- The suggested revisions are to support Boards in conducting orderly and efficient proceedings while ensuring access to the public.
- After discussion and review, the proposed policies will be considered on first reading at the November business meeting.
The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 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 WeAreKCS.com.
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