Kingsport City Schools

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BOE Meeting Notes - June 10, 2025

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The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.  Several key items were discussed, including:
  • Recognition of two D-B EXCEL students for winning the 2025 Tennessee STEM Innovation Network 2025 Statewide Design Challenge;
  • Recognition of two members of the Dobyns-Bennett High School Wrestling Team for winning individual state championships;
  • Approval of revisions to the KCS Random Drug Testing Regulations and Procedures; and
  • Approval of a revised KCS FY 2025-26 Budget.
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Meeting Livestream and Audio
 
Click here to view the archived livestream of tonight's meeting.
Detailed Meeting Notes

CALL TO ORDER

The Pledge of Allegiance was led this evening by Clara Robbins.  Clara is a rising 2nd grader at John F. Kennedy Elementary School.

Recognitions

Board member Jamie Jackson recognized two D-B EXCEL students for winning the 2025 Tennessee STEM Innovation Network 2025 Statewide Design Challenge.
  • DBE students Lacey Brotherton and Lilianna Mangipinto were named the high school winners for their project, "Mental Health Better Life."
    • The students pitched their ideas to a panel of expert judges in March, with the top four teams advancing to the regional competition for a chance to pitch their idea at the state-level competition in April.
  • Antonia Adinolfi, DBE Science & Career & Technical Education teacher, oversees the design challenge each year. 
 
Board Vice President Dr. Brandon Fletcher recognized two members of the Dobyns-Bennett High School Wrestling Team for winning individual state championships.
  • Mason Jakob won his third individual state championship and finished the season with a 40-2 record.
  • Noah Watkins won his first individual state championship and finished the season with a 38-4 record.
  • The D-B wrestling team is coached by head coach Wes Idlette and assistant coaches Jake Mullins and PJ Ryan.

business items

Assistant Superintendent - Administration Dr. Andy True recommended revisions to the KCS Random Drug Testing Regulations and Procedures for approval.
  • Beginning with the 2024-25 school year and per TCA 49-6-4213 and KCS Board Policy 6.3071, students in grades 9-12 participating in voluntary extra-curricular activities are subject to random drug testing.
  • KCS administration recommended minor revisions to the regulations and procedures based on a review of how the testing process was facilitated and operated during year 1 in 2024-25.
    • Rather than substantially changing any regulations or procedures, proposed revisions were primarily based on issues that administration felt required additional clarification based on the experience of the 2024-25 testing year.
    • Click below to view a mark-up copy of the proposed revisions.
  • After review, the Board voted 3-0 to adopt the proposed revisions to the KCS Random Drug Testing Regulations and Procedures (Golden/Marshall absent).
Chief Finance Officer David Frye presented a revised KCS FY 2025-26 Budget for approval.
  • The proposed revision reflects no change to the overall budget amount.
  • The proposed revision reflects a removal of an increase in transfers from the City of Kingsport (now no increase from the FY 2025 amount), an increase in the Fund Balance appropriation to offset the lack of revenue increase, and an update to current and projected Unreserved Fund Balance amounts (slides 16-18 below).
  • After review, the Board voted 3-0 to approved the revised KCS 2025-26 Budget.
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The next session of the Board of Education will be a meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 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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Kingsport City Schools (KCS) is a student-focused, world-class public school district located in Kingsport, Tennessee, proudly serving students across Sullivan and Hawkins counties. The district comprises 13 schools, including a Pre-K facility, eight elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, a high school program of choice, and an alternative learning program. With a total enrollment exceeding 7,600 students, KCS is dedicated to fostering educational excellence, empowering student success, and ensuring all students are college and career ready.
 
To learn more, visit www.k12k.com tune in to WCSK 90.3 FM, The Voice of KCS, or contact the KCS Administrative Support Center at (423) 378.2100. Stay connected by following us on Facebook (@kcsdistrict), Instagram (@kcs__district), and YouTube (@kcs__district).