BOE Meeting Notes - July 10, 2018 – 2018-19 Board of Education Summary Notes

The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, July 10, 2018. Several key items were discussed, including:

Recognition of two KCS employees for extraordinary achievements;
Approval of the 2018-19 Projected Annual School Board Agenda;
Approval of School Fees for the 2018-19 school year;
Approval of the Renaming/Branding Committee Recommendations related to KCS middle schools;
Approval of two Board Policies related to the Board meeting calendar;
A report on KCS professional learning activities; and
A report regarding the work of the KCS Instructional Design Specialists.

Tonight's reports and recognitions were broadcast live on the KCS Facebook Page! Click here to view the video from tonight's meeting.

Meeting Audio

07-10-18 Kpt BOE Regular Meeting July 10 2018

Detailed Meeting Notes

CALL TO ORDER

The Pledge of Allegiance was led this evening by Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachians Troop #1083.

The group is led by Troop Administrator Cassie Franklin.
The troop takes part in a variety of service and personal growth activities, including...
Click here to learn more about the Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachians.

At the start of tonight's meeting, the Board officers were elected for the 2018-19 year. After nominations and discussion, the Board elected:

President - Mrs. Carrie Upshaw (elected unanimously)
Vice President - Mr. Todd Golden (elected unanimously)

Following the election of officers, the Board reviewed and read Policy 1.1061 - Boardsmanship Standards.

The Board reads these standards annually to review and affirm the Code of Ethics for Board operations.
Click here to view Policy 1.1061 - Boardsmanship Standards.

RECOGNITIONS

Board President Mrs. Carrie Upshaw recognized Robinson Middle School Nurse Suzanne Marshall for her life-saving actions during an April 2018 student support.

When faced with a situation where a student experienced an unexpected and unknown allergic reaction, Mrs. Marshall administered an EpiPen when a dose of Benadryl did not stop the reaction. Her quick attention and action corrected a life-threatening situation and led to a speedy recovery by the student.
The EpiPen was made available through a free program by the device's maker (Mylan). This is the second year that KCS has participated in the free EpiPens for Schools program.

Board Member Mr. Eric Hyche recognized KCS Supervisor of Maintenance and Custodial Services Bill Shedden for being named the 2018-19 Tennessee Facility Director of the Year.

Mr. Shedden received the honor at the annual state conference of the Tennessee School Plant Management Association held in Pigeon Forge on June 18, 2018.
Mr. Shedden was named the National Facility Director of the Year in 2013 at the national conference in San Antonio, TX, making him only the second person in Tennessee to have received both national and state recognition.
Mr. Shedden has served as the Tennessee School Plant Management Association president for the past four years and served on the Board of Directors for the past nine years.
Since joining KCS in 2014, Mr. Shedden has helped lead an energy savings program that has saved KCS over $1.9 million.

BUSINESS ITEMS

Items passed on the Board consent agenda:

The 2018-19 Annual School Board Agenda.
The list of Approved School Fees for 2018-19.

Board Member Dr. Karen Reed-Wright and KCS Assistant Superintendent - Administration Andy True presented the Middle School Renaming/Branding Committee's recommendations for Robinson and Sevier Middle Schools.

Made up of a wide variety of community and student members, the committee met during the time frame of November, 2017 - January 2018 and sought feedback from community members and students regarding the future direction three items:
- Middle School Names
- Middle School Colors, and
- Middle School Mascots.
Following the receipt and analysis of community and student surveys, the committee unanimously recommended that when the transition to the new KCS middle school location occurs (utilizing the current Robinson Middle School and Sullivan North High School as the two KCS middle schools), the names, mascots, and colors of the current KCS middle schools should remain.
Following discussion and review, the Board voted 5-0 to accept the recommendation of the committee, regarding future naming of KCS middle school facilities.

7-10 Middle School Branding Survey Results BOE Review July 2018

Mr. True presented two Board policies for revision.

1.400 - School Board Meetings
1.404 - Public Communications at Board Meetings
The recommended policy revisions are related to wording that references the expected Board meeting schedule.
- Currently, the policies reference Board meetings taking place on the first Tuesday of each month. The recommended revision changes the policies to state that meetings will take place on the second Tuesday of each month.
- With few exceptions, 2018-19 Board meetings will take place on the second Tuesday of each month. Work Sessions are generally scheduled for the fourth Tuesday of each month.
The Board approved the recommended revisions by a vote of 5-0.

REPORTS

KCS Director of Professional Learning Dr. Stephanie Potter provided an update on professional development opportunities taking place for KCS staff members.

Professional learning is embedded throughout the KCS Strategic Plan, providing necessary supports and growth opportunities.
The goal of professional learning is to reach students and impact student achievement by providing a variety of research-based and high-impact supports for the adults that work with them.
Click below to view the full presentation describing the scope of activities and programs taking place to support continued staff learning.

7-10 Professional Learning Update 7.10.2018

KCS Instructional Design Specialists (InDeS) Dr. Ashley Carter, Mrs. Amanda Cole, and Mrs. Sara Wallingford provided an update on their support work.

KCS InDeS provide coaching and change leadership for KCS teachers and staff utilizing effective side-by-side strategies and communication.
Key items from the presentation highlighted 2017-18 work, analysis of teacher feedback information, and visioning work for the future.
Click below to learn more about the work and impact that KCS InDeS are having in improving classroom teaching and learning.

7-10 InDeS Presentation

The next meeting of the Board of Education will be a work session on Tuesday, July 24 at 6 p.m. The work session 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 www.WeAreKCS.com.