BOE Meeting Notes - January 8, 2019 – 2018-19 Board of Education Summary Notes

The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, January 8, 2019. Several key items were discussed, including:

A report on how students at Roosevelt are being positively impacted through community involvement;
Recognition of a Dobyns-Bennett Senior for scoring a perfect 36 on the ACT;
Recognition of the D-B Competitive Marching Band for winning the Class AAA National Championship at the recent Bands of America Grand Nationals competition;
Recognition of the KCS School Nutrition Services department and staff for receiving perfect health inspection scores at every KCS school during the Fall semester;
Approval of Amendment #1 to the 2018-19 KCS Budget;
Approval of a bid for safety improvements at KCS school reception windows; and
Awarding of a contract to upgrade wireless and switching infrastructure at KCS middle schools and high school.

Meeting Audio

01-08-19 - Kpt BOE Regular Meeting January 8 2019

Detailed Meeting Notes

CALL TO ORDER

The Pledge of Allegiance this evening was led by Lincoln Elementary 4th grade students Colton Fugate, Adeline Lyttle, Bailey Overbey, and Tyler Williams. Colton is the son of Christopher Fugate and Sara Yarber. Adeline is the daughter of Stephen and Amanda Lyttle. Bailey is the daughter of Barbara Trent. Tyler is the son of Daniel and Amy Williams.

Community Interest Report

Roosevelt Elementary Principal Dr. Kelli Seymour, Associate Principal Dr. Philip Wright, and School Counselor Mrs. Alice Browder provided a report detailing the personal and academic growth taking place with Roosevelt students due to high levels of community involvement.

Through partnerships with community groups like the Kingsport Chamber, students are interacting with positive role models through character-building experiences that impact student personal and academic growth.
Roosevelt students are participating in the Roosevelt Leadership Academy, a partnership with the Kingsport Chamber where students travel to the Chamber twice a month to meet with the Mayor's Youth Council to learn about many aspects of the Kingsport community.
Students have traveled outside of the Kingsport community to experience a range of opportunities, such as a trip to Milligan College, Dobyns-Bennett High School, and even to Knoxville to attend a UT Lady Vols basketball game.

RECOGNITIONS

Board President Mrs. Carrie Upshaw recognized D-B Senior Allison Glynn, who has earned a perfect score of 36 on the ACT assessment.

Allison is the daughter of Theodore and Bethanie Glynn.
On average, less than 0.1% of all students who take the ACT earn a perfect score.
Consisting of tests in English, mathematics, reading, and science, the ACT is accepted by all major colleges in the United States as a measure of student readiness for the academic rigors of college.
After graduation, Allison plans on majoring in Bio-molecular engineering at a yet-to-be-determined university.

Board Vice President Mr. Todd Golden recognized the D-B Competitive Marching Band and D-B Director of Bands Mr. Lafe Cook for winning the Class AAA national championship at the recent Bands of America Grand Nationals competition. Mr. Cook was joined by six D-B student musicians and drum majors in accepting the recognition.

The band competed against the top 108 of over 20,000 marching bands in America at the event at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN on November 10, 2018.
In addition to winning the overall Class AAA title, the band's show, titled "Rise Above," was awarded first place in Class AAA for both Outstanding Musical Performance and Outstanding General Effect.
Overall, the D-B Band finished 10th against bands of all classes, reaching the competition's finals for the third time.

Board member Mr. Eric Hyche recognized the KCS School Nutrition Services department and staff for receiving perfect health inspection scores of 100 at every KCS school during the Fall semester.

School Nutrition Services Director Mrs. Jennifer Walker was joined by several KCS cafeteria managers in accepting tonight's recognition.
School cafeterias are inspected by Tennessee health inspectors twice each school year.
Inspections are similar to those that take place in restaurants, with the purpose to identify deficiencies in food preparation and delivery safety. KCS cafeterias served an average of over 6,000 meals each day first semester, while achieving their perfect score.
Mr. Hyche commented that the perfect scores represented the hard work of a dedicated staff that has an attention to detail and a commitment to doing things the right way.

BUSINESS ITEMS

KCS Chief Finance Officer Mr. David Frye presented Budget Amendment #1 for Board consideration.

This is the first proposed amendment to the 2018-19 Budget during this fiscal year.
The amendment address two items:
- To include additional required matching local funds related to the State of Tennessee Safe Schools grant.
- To provide local funding in addition to available E-rate funding to expand technology infrastructure at all secondary locations and the KCS Administrative Support Center. If approved, the amendment would provide funding for a business item to be discussed later at tonight's meeting.
Following discussion, the Board approved Budget Amendment #1 by a vote of 4-0.

1-8 Budget Amendment Number One - FY 2019

Mr. Frye reviewed two bids related to safety improvements at KCS school reception windows.

The bids are to make safety improvements to reception area windows at 10 schools, providing an additional layer of security to protect KCS staff and students.
The low bid on the project was in the amount of $72,200 and was submitted by Armstrong Construction Co., Inc.
Funding for the project is available from the Safe Schools - School Safety grant.
Following discussion, the Board awarded the bid to Armstrong Construction Co., Inc. by a vote of 4-0.

KCS Chief Technology Officer Mr. Scott Pierce reviewed two quotes (submitted through the Tennessee Education Broadband Consortium) to provide upgraded wireless and switching infrastructure at KCS middle schools and high school.

Previously, KCS has completed upgrades to similar hardware at the Palmer Center and KCS elementary schools. This proposed work would do the same at KCS middle and high schools.
Funding for the project is available from the KCS General Purpose School Fund - Unreserved Fund Balance.
After discussion, the Board awarded the contract to Personal Computer Systems, Inc. by a vote of 4-0.

1-8 2019 Kingsport City Schools E-Rate Category 2 Hardware BOE

1-8 Community Involvement Board President

The next meeting of the Board of Education will be a work session on Tuesday, January 22 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.