The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education held a work session on Tuesday, February 20, 2018. Several key items were discussed, including:
- A report on the Tennessee School Boards Association "Day on the Hill" event;
- A review of potential revised and new policies in Section 5 - Personnel; and
- A report on potential workforce development opportunities with the Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing (RCAM).
Detailed Work Session Notes
Board President Mrs. Susan Lodal and Superintendent Dr. Jeff Moorhouse provided a report on the Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA) "Day on the Hill" event, which they attended in Nashville, TN on February 12-13, 2018.
- The two-day event included a legislative briefing, meetings with legislators, and attendance at meetings with the House Education Administration and Planning Committee and Subcommittees.
- Mrs. Lodal reviewed a variety of potential legislation forthcoming in this year's session, including items related to the taking away of local board control, public funding of vouchers, the bidding and sale of surplus property advertisements, funding of school nursing positions, funding of RTI2, ensuring TNReady scores are returned to districts in a timely manner, implementation of a moratorium on new student assessments, district data verification timeframes, ACT/SAT accountability measures, and teacher licensure.
Board member Mr. Todd Golden and Assistant Superintendent - Administration Mr. Andy True reviewed new and revised policies from Section 5 - Personnel for Board consideration at their March meeting.
- Policy 5.1101 - Differentiated Pay is a revised policy striking a reference to a law that has been repealed.
- Policy 5.117 - Procedure for Granting Tenure is a revised policy clarifying when notice shall be given for non-renewals.
- Policy 5.200 - Separation Practices for Tenured Teachers is a revised policy and 5.201 - Separation Practices for Non-Tenured Teachers is a new policy. Both of these are necessary in response to Public Chapter 287, which addresses the number of days retired teachers are allowed to substitute in the classroom without loss of retirement benefits.
- Policy 5.600 - Staff Rights and Responsibilities is a new policy to align with Public Chapter 360, clarifying the rights of educators. As this information is also covered in existing State law, there is no requirement or necessity for this draft to also be included in policy.
- Policy 5.702 - Substitute Teachers has been updated in response to Public Chapters 287 and 387, addressing the number of days retired teachers are allowed to substitute in the classroom without loss of retirement benefits.
- All other policies in Section 5 from 5.302 - 5.801 were considered for approval with no change.
Superintendent Dr. Jeff Moorhouse provided an update on potential workforce development opportunities with the Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing (RCAM). He was joined in presenting by Mr. Jeff Frazier, Dean of the RCAM.
- Additional RCAM facilities have recently been completed, providing a facility to house the innovative RCAM Academy program.
- The RCAM was established via the collective efforts of the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (AMP) to expand the advanced manufacturing technical training (STEM) capabilities and dual enrollment opportunities for high school students in the region.
- AMP's strategy is to support regional employers by innovating and designing program packages to meet the needs of the regional job market, develop a pipeline of potential employees by creating interest and commitment in high demand programs, and support economic development.
- The RCAM Academy will host a ribbon cutting and open house on Friday, March 9, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at 305 West Main Street, Kingsport.
The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at 6 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Tennessee Room of the Administrative Support Center(400 Clinchfield Street).
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