Kingsport City Schools
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The following information is a snapshot of the 2023-24 fiscal year (FY) to provide a better understanding of how funds were allocated and to review the financial operations of the district as a whole. A KCS FY ends on June 30.
District operations are comprised of four different funds: General Purpose School Fund, School Nutrition Services Fund, Federal School Projects Fund, and School Special Projects Fund. The overall budget totaled $111.2 million for FY 2023-24.
The General Purpose School Fund provides the resources necessary to sustain day-to-day activities and pays for the majority of administrative and operating expenses. This encompasses approximately 90% of all employees (salaries/benefits), instructional support, operations/maintenance, utilities, student transportation, technology, professional learning, human resources, insurance, support services, and administration. For FY 2023-24, the General Purpose School Fund budget was $99.8 million.
The School Nutrition Services Fund budget totaled $4.3 million for all food service operating costs in FY 2023-24, including administrative support, maintenance, warehousing, insurance, and accounting. This fund is totally self-supporting and is operated under the federally funded National School Lunch and Child Nutrition Acts. No General Purpose fund support is required for the fund, as revenues were derived primarily from food sales, Federal, and State aid.
The Federal Projects Fund budget totaled $6.3 million for FY 2023-24. The two Federal programs that are the largest sources of Federal funding, as well as mandates are: Title I grants (the main source of federal funding for the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and IDEA grants (special education funding under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)). In addition, financial support was given to other federal projects such as Title II and the Carl D. Perkins Vocational grant.
The fourth fund, School Special Projects, had a budget of $0.8 million. These funds help finance district departments such as the Truancy Intervention Program and Pre-K programs. It also serves as a pool of grant funding for any grant that has been awarded to a teacher or school and serves as a resource where teachers/schools can pull funds to implement a project for the classroom. Funding for grants comes from various resources ranging from Federal, State, and local donors.
In FY 2023-24, classified employees received their normal step increase and a 5% cost of living increase. In March 2024, there was an additional 5% increase given to classified employees. For certified employees, FY 2023-24 teachers received their scheduled step increases and a five present cost of living increase.
In FY 2023-24, the replacement of the Dobyns-Bennett High School roof was completed. The project has a total cost of $5.7 million. Also in FY 2023-24 the Johnson and Lincoln Elementary Schools HVAC systems were replaced. These project had a total cost of $6.8 million. The replacement of the Robinson Middle School HVAC was also completed at a cost of $3.1 million. The replacement of the Dobyns-Bennett dome roof was also begun, along with renovations to the dome, auxiliary gym, locker rooms, the dome lobby, the activities office. This project also replaced the HVAC system that services the dome area. This project has a total cost of $23.8 million.
KCS undertakes a comprehensive budget process each year. In early December, a discussion of the budget process and approaching timeline is held with the Board of Education (BOE). In mid-December, budget materials are sent to principals/administrators who prepare budget requests. By mid-January, budget materials are returned to the Chief Finance Officer. In late January/mid-February, the Budget Review Committee meets to hear budget presentations from principals/administrators. In February and March, the Budget Review Committee and staff compile a recommended budget to present to the BOE in April. Upon review, the BOE will approve the budget in May. Once the BOE approves the KCS budget, it is presented to the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BMA) in May. Upon review and approval by the BMA, funds are distributed to KCS. All meetings are open to the public.