Kingsport City Schools

Leader in Me Skip to main content
Main Menu Toggle

BOE Meeting Notes - September 13, 2018

BOE Meeting Header
The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education held its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, September 13, 2018. Several key items were discussed, including:
  • An update on the construction of the Dobyns-Bennett Science and Technology Center;
  • Approval of an air monitoring system at Johnson Elementary School;
  • Approval of a recommended TSBA legislative resolution regarding random drug testing;
  • A report on the recommendations of the KCS Safety Task Force; and
  • Presentation of a draft 2019-2020 KCS Calendar.
Divider
Meeting Audio
Detailed Meeting Notes

CALL TO ORDER

The Pledge of Allegiance was led this evening by Boy Scout Troop #250.  Scouts leading the pledge were Michael Moore (10th grade at D-B), Drew Vetter (7th grade at Robinson), Owen McKnight (7th grade at Robinson), Camdon Whiten (7th grade at Robinson), Cloie Whiten (6th grade at Robinson), Nick Mize (10th grade at D-B), Braden Mize (7th grade at Robinson), Aidan Brammer (10th grade at D-B), and Abigail Brammer (8th grade at Sevier). 

Community Interest Report

 A report was presented to update the Board and community on the status of the D-B Science and Technology Center construction project.
  • Construction began in the winter of 2018 and has now reached the "halfway" point in the scheduled timeline.  
  • When complete, the Science and Technology Center will add over 70,000 square feet of learning space to the D-B campus, housing a variety of labs, classrooms, and meeting spaces.  The facility will connect to the existing D-B facility and provide a new "face" to the school.
  • Tonight's report was presented by Perkins+Will lead project architect Stephen Trimble, senior project manager from BurWil Construction Wes Burleson, and KCS staff Andy True, Jim Nash, Bill Shedden, and David Frye.
 

BUSINESS ITEMS 

 
Bill Shedden, KCS Supervisor of Maintenance and Custodial Services, presented a revised air monitoring system contract for consideration and approval.
  • The agreement with the Department of Environmental and Conservation Division of Air Pollution Control covers a period from July 1, 2018 through December 31, 2023.
  • Particle pollution monitoring stations are installed by the State of Tennessee at various locations across the state to monitor ambient air quality.
  • After presentation and discussion, the Board voted 4-0 to approve the license agreement with the State of Tennessee, Department of Environment and Conservation.
A Board resolution was presented for consideration for submission to the Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA).
  • Annually, the TSBA requests potential resolutions by Tennessee school boards related to items of emphasis for the upcoming legislative session. 
  • The resolution this evening endorsed a recommendation to the Tennessee Legislature that in the upcoming legislative session, Tennessee Code Annotated should be revised to allow for the random drug testing of student drivers in Tennessee public high schools.
  • After consideration and discussion, the Board approved the draft resolution by a vote of 4-0.

REPORTS

 
KCS Assistant Superintendent - Administration Andy True and Chief Student Services Officer Jim Nash provided an update to the board regarding the ongoing work of the KCS Safety Task Force.
  • The task force has been meeting throughout the course of 2018 to review, analyze, and recommend plans related to KCS safety operations.
  • Members of the task force and safety committee include representatives of law enforcement, emergency responders, healthcare, mental health professionals, parents, students, media, and administration.
  • Key recommendations made by the group (to be funded through one-time and reoccurring state safety funds) include the addition of school resource officers, addition of secure entrances and video buzz-to-enter systems at schools, security improvements at school receptionist windows, and the installation of security film on identified glass window surfaces.
  • The task force will continue to meet in the future, to facilitate an ongoing review of KCS safety operations.
Andy True presented a draft 2019-2020 KCS Calendar for initial review by the Board.  
  • The Board will review the draft with a potential approval at the October BOE meeting.
  • The draft calendar is similar to the calendar implemented in previous years and includes:
    • Start date - August 5, 2019
    • Fall Break - October 14-18, 2019
    • Thanksgiving Break - November 27-29, 2019
    • Winter Break - December 23, 2019 - January 3, 2020 
    • Spring Break - March 23-27, 2020
    • Spring Holiday - April 10, 2020
    • Graduation Day - May 23, 2020
Divider
The next meeting of the Board of Education will be a work session on Tuesday, September 25 at 6 p.m.  The work session will take place in the Tennessee Room of the Administrative Support Center (400 Clinchfield Street).
WeAreKCS.com
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.

Boy Scout Troop 250 Presents the Pledge
Boy Scout Troop 250 Presents the Pledge
D-B Government Students at the BOE!
D-B Government Students at the BOE!