Kingsport City Schools

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BOE Meeting Notes - October 14, 2025

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The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.  Several key items were discussed, including:
  • A special recognition of the partnership between KCS, Dobyns-Bennett High School, and the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) - Elizabethton;
  • Recognition of Dobyns-Bennett High School students named as National Merit Commended Students;
  • Recognition of Dobyns-Bennett High School students named as National Merit Semifinalists;
  • Recognition of John Sevier Middle School for receiving the 2025 Resilient School Distinction Award;
  • Approval of a bid for secure entry upgrades at Cora Cox Academy;
  • Approval to purchase playground equipment for Andrew Jackson Elementary School;
  • Acceptance of a report required by Policy 3.204; and
  • Approval of the 2026-27 KCS School Calendar and Designated Holiday Schedule.
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Meeting Livestream and Audio
 
View the livestream of tonight's meeting on the KCS YouTube channel.
Detailed Meeting Notes

CALL TO ORDER

The Pledge of Allegiance was led this evening by Levi and Parker Kate Henderson.  Levi is a 2nd grader and Parker Kate is a kindergartener at John Adams Elementary School.

Recognitions

At the start of this evening's meeting, a special recognition highlighting the partnership between KCS, Dobyns-Bennett High School, and the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) - Elizabethton was presented.
  • Dr. Richard Church, TCAT-Elizabethton Vice President, and other TCAT representatives recognized KCS and the D-B Career & Technical Education Department for being TCAT-Elizabethton's Gold Level Dual Enrollment partner for Fall 2025.
  • At present, D-B has 515 dual-enrollment students in the TCAT program.
 
Board member Jamie Jackson recognized six Dobyns-Bennett High School students who were recently named National Merit Commended Students in the 71st Annual 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program.
  • This National Merit Program is designated to identify and honor the top high school students in the United States. 
  • Approximately 34,000 Commended Students out of over 1 million PSAT test takers throughout the nation were recognized for their exceptional academic promise.
  • Commended students placed among the top 3–5% of students who entered the 2026 competition by taking the 2024 PSAT, which serves as an initial screening of program entrants. 
  • The National Merit Commended Students from Dobyns-Bennett are:
    • Jaxon Buckley
    • Benjamin Culp
    • Emily Doyle
    • Christopher Egan
    • Breanna Hill
    • Grant Smith
 
Board President Dr. Brandon Fletcher recognized four Dobyns-Bennett High School students who were named National Merit Semifinalists in the 71st Annual 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program.
  • These four students will compete with the top high school students in the nation for approximately 6,000 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $26 million that will be awarded in Spring 2026.
  • The nationwide pool of semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors and includes the highest scoring PSAT entrants in each state.
  • Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference. 
  • To become a Finalist, the semifinalist and his/her high school must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which information is provided regarding the Semifinalist's academic record, participation in school/community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors/awards received.
  • The National Merit semifinalists from Dobyns-Bennett are:
    • Eesha Kothari
    • Arrush Negre
    • Aparajita Vashisth
    • Laila Venzon
 
Board member Dr. Phillip Marshall recognized John Sevier Middle School for receiving the 2025 Resilient School Distinction Award.
  • This award, presented by East Tennessee State University, honors schools that exemplify a strong commitment to excellence, innovation, and integrity in advancing resilient practices.
  • The distinction highlights Sevier's dedication to implementing schoolwide effective practices rooted in vision and core values that foster student engagement.
  • Recognizing schools that inspire through action and lead with purpose, the Resilient School Distinction Award celebrates how the Sevier community cultivates environments of hope, courage, and student success by transforming challenges into opportunities, fostering meaningful learning experiences, and serving as a model of resilience in action.
  • The Resilient Schools Award Ceremony was held on September 23, 2025 in the ETSU Culp Ballroom where Sevier Middle School was formally recognized alongside other schools in the state. 

business items

David Frye, Chief Finance Officer, presented a recommended bid for secure entry upgrades at Cora Cox Academy.
  • The proposed project would reconfigure the CCA entrance to provide a secure double-layered entry vestibule, similar to other KCS schools.  
  • Two bids were received for the project, which were opened on October 1, 2025.
  • The low bid was provided by Custom Building Group, Inc. in the amount of $68,966.  With architect fees and contingency, the total proposed project cost is $76,343.
  • Funding for the project would be provided by the Public School Security Grant.
  • After review, the Board voted 3-0 to approve the bid and new secure entrance project (Woods/Golden absent).
Mr. Frye presented a proposal to purchase playground equipment for Andrew Jackson Elementary School.
  • The new equipment would replace a playground structure on the east side of the school that has reached the end of it's life.
  • The proposed purchase from Playworld Preferred Inc. would cost $60,779.63 and utilize the Sourcewell contract.
  • After review and discussion, the Board voted 3-0 to approve the purchase.  
Dr. Andy True, Assistant Superintendent - Administration, and Jim Nash, Chief Student Services Officer, presented a report required by Policy 3.204.
  • The report, required once per quarter by law, provides information on credible threats of
    violence or significantly disruptive behavior directed toward or occurring on the grounds of a school.
  • Per law and KCS Policy, at least once per quarter, the Board shall be provided a report listing the total number of incidents reported to state and local law enforcement agencies requiring notice to parent(s)/guardian(s) for the respective quarter, as well as for the year to date. 
  • For the first quarter of the 2025-26 school year (July 1 - September 30, 2025), there were zero incidents reported to state and local law enforcement agencies requiring notice to
    parent(s)/guardian(s).
  • After review, the Board accepted the report by a vote of 3-0.
Dr. True presented a proposed 2026-27 KCS School Calendar and an employee Designated Holiday Schedule for review and approval.
  • Significant dates in the proposed calendar include:
    • First day for students: August 3, 3026
    • Parent/Teacher Conference Day: October 9, 2026
    • Fall Break: October 12-16, 2026
    • Thanksgiving Break: November 25-27, 2026
    • Last day for students (1st Semester): December 18, 2026
    • Winter Break: December 21, 2026 - January 1, 2027
    • First day for students (2nd Semester): January 5, 2027
    • Parent/Teacher Conference Day: February 5, 2027
    • Spring Break: March 22-26, 2027
    • Last day for students (2nd Semester): May 19, 2027
  • The Board voted 3-0 to approve the proposed 2026-27 KCS Calendar and Designated Holiday Schedule.
At the conclusion of tonight's meeting, Dr. Hampton previewed a new video highlighting the vision, accomplishments, and opportunities available throughout Kingsport City Schools.
 
View the new video "Kingsport City Schools: A Tradition of Excellence. A Future of Possibilities."
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The next session of the Board of Education will be a work session on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at 6 p.m.  The work session 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). 
 
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