Kingsport City Schools

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Kingsport City Schools will be closed Thursday, October 3 and Friday, October 4, 2024.  Classes will resume after Fall Break on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.

BOE Meeting Notes - April 9, 2019

BOE Meeting
The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. Several key items were discussed, including:
  • A community interest report on the Kingsport Academy for Teaching, a partnership between KCS and East Tennessee State University;
  • Board recognition of a variety of KCS students and employees:
    • D-B student Vikram Nathan for achieving a perfect score on the ACT
    • D-B student Sasha Neglia for being named the 2018-19 Gatorade Tennessee Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year
    • D-B Principal Dr. Chris Hampton for being selected the 2018-19 winner of the prestigious University of Tennessee William J. and Lucille H. Field Award
    • KCS Teachers named as School-level Teachers of the Year
    • KCS District Teachers of the Year:  Dr. Cindy Shaddock, Mrs. Karen Bear, and Mr. Lafe Cook
    • KCS Principal of the Year:  Dr. Stacy Edwards
    • KCS Supervisor of the Year:  Mr. Jim Nash
  • Approval of a KCS teacher for tenure status;
  • Approval of a policy revision regarding Tobacco-Free Schools;
  • Discussion of an administrative procedure related to the annual evaluation process of the Superintendent;
  • Approval of a textbook adoption recommendation;
  • Approval of professional services agreements related to roof work at Kennedy Elementary and Robinson Middle School; and 
  • Approval of an agreement to support the Portrait of a Graduate work taking place in KCS.
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Meeting Audio
Detailed Meeting Notes

CALL TO ORDER

The Pledge of Allegiance was led this evening by Parker Haga.  Parker is a 2nd grade student at George Washington Elementary School.

RECOGNITIONS

Board Member Dr. Karen Reed-Wright recognized Vikram Nathan, a junior at D-B, for earning a perfect score of 36 on the ACT.
  • On average, less than one-tenth of one percent of students who take the ACT earn a perfect score.
  • Vikram is the third D-B student currently at D-B to have earned a perfect score of 36 on the ACT.
 
Board Member Eric Hyche recognized D-B junior Sasha Neglia, who was named the 2018-19 Gatorade Tennessee Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year.
  • Sasha is the first D-B runner to receive this award, which recognizes athletic excellence, as well as academic achievement and exemplary character.  She has received this award twice in her career at D-B.
 
Board Member Susan Lodal recognized D-B Principal Dr. Chris Hampton, who has been selected as the 2018-19 recipient of the prestigious University of Tennessee William J. and Lucille H. Field Award in Support of Excellence in Tennessee Secondary School Leadership.
  • The Field Award recognizes one outstanding secondary school leader in Tennessee each year who demonstrates leadership excellence through commitment to the values of civility, candor, courage, social justice, responsibility, compassion, community, persistence, service, and excellence.  Administered by the College of Education, Health, and Human Services at the University of Tennessee, it identifies a Tennessee secondary school principal whose life and work are characterized by leadership excellence.
 
Board President Carrie Upshaw and Dr. Rhonda Stringham, KCS Assistant Superintendent - Instruction, recognized the 2019 KCS Teachers of the Year.  The Teacher of the Year honor represents the top KCS educators at both the school and district level.  This year's Teachers of the Year are:
 
  • PreK - 4th Grade
    • Dr. Cindy Shaddock, Adams Elementary School
    • Kindetta (Kandy) Thompson, Palmer Center
    • Julie Hall, Kennedy Elementary School
    • Lisa Hazlett, Washington Elementary School
    • ​​​​​​Shauna Slemp, Johnson Elementary School
    • Seth Wallingford, Lincoln Elementary School
    • Kristy Walters, Roosevelt Elementary School
    • Kristy Williamson-Jackson, Jefferson Elementary School
  • Grades 5-8
    • Stephen Baker, Sevier Middle School
    • Karen Bear, Sevier Middle School
    • Leslie Clifton, Robinson Middle School
    • Katie Kimbro, Robinson Middle School
    • Sarah Lamb, Jackson Elementary School
    • Jessica Mullins, Robinson Middle School
    • Norie-Anne Young, Sevier Middle School
  • Grades 9-12
    • Katie Beth Boggan, Dobyns-Bennett High School
    • Jimmy Burleson, Dobyns-Bennett High School
    • Lafe Cook, Dobyns-Bennett High School
    • Jana Engle, Dobyns-Bennett High School
    • Kris Krautkremer, Dobyns-Bennett High School
    • Brandon Lewis, D-B EXCEL
    • Jenny Rogers, Dobyns-Bennett High School
 
The 2019 District Teachers of the Year are:
  • Grades PreK-4: Dr. Cindy Shaddock, Adams Elementary School
  • Grades 5-8:  Karen Bear, Sevier Middle School
  • Grades 9-12:  Lafe Cook, Dobyns-Bennett High School
 
Mrs. Upshaw and Dr. Stringham recognized the 2019 KCS Principal of the Year, Dr. Stacy Edwards.  Dr. Edwards serves as the principal at Andrew Johnson Elementary School.
  • Dr. Edwards is a 22 year veteran educator with Kingsport City Schools. He has served as a third and fifth grade teacher, an Assistant to the Principal, and Principal at Kennedy Elementary and Johnson Elementary.  He holds a doctorate in Learning Organizations and Strategic Change from Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN.
 
Mrs. Upshaw and Dr. Stringham also recognized the 2019 KCS Supervisor of the Year, Mr. Jim Nash.  Mr. Nash is the KCS Chief Student Services Officer.
  • Mr. Nash has been employed by KCS for 24 years and oversees all student services operations for the district.  He has served as a counselor and associate principal at John Sevier Middle School, assistant principal at Dobyns-Bennett High School, and principal at Ross N. Robinson Middle School.  Mr. Nash holds an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from the University of Tennessee. 

community interest REPORT

Dr. Edwards presented a report on the Kingsport Academy for Teacher (KAT), a program made possible through a partnership between KCS and East Tennessee State University.
  • The KAT program provides a practical student teaching experience that extends beyond the typical residency, with increased professional development, leadership, curriculum development, and teaching experiences.   
  • ETSU education students have participated in the program at Johnson Elementary this year, receiving an enhanced level of training and opportunity, while providing a valuable level of commitment and service to the Johnson community. 
  • ETSU education professors Dr. Pam Evanshen and Dr. Karin Keith were also present to help share information about the innovative and immersive program.
Dr. Edwards and Johnson PTO President Ashley Hill presented a summary report on the construction of the Johnson Castle Playground, which took place on March 5-10, 2019.
  • The playground community build concluded a five-year process of fundraising, planning, and finally construction, replacing the iconic previous structure.   
  • The project, inspired by the suggested design of Johnson students, incorporated a wide variety of play structures and elements.
  • Created by Play by Design, Inc., the structure pays homage to the original castle playground constructed over 25 years ago.  The new castle was constructed by over 1,000 volunteers over a six-day period in March.
  • A project of the Johnson PTO, the play structure will be formally transferred to KCS at a future Board meeting.

BUSINESS ITEMS 

KCS Chief Human Resources Officer Jennifer Guthrie presented KCS teacher Misty Ezell for tenure status.
  • Ms. Ezell teaches at Lincoln Elementary School and has met all requirements for tenure.
  • After a brief presentation, the Board voted 5-0 to approve tenure status for Ms. Ezell.
Andy True, KCS Assistant Superintendent - Administration, presented Board policy 1.803 - Tobacco-Free Schools for consideration.
  • Based on the types of vaping devices showing up in districts across the state and the way students are using them, the Tennessee School Boards Association has recommended updating this policy with broader language. It now includes the terms "electronic/battery operated devices" and "vapor products" to more clearly include a wider variety of these devices and associated products.
  • Kingsport City Attorney Mike Billingsley was present to share information and consult with the Board related to the legal scope of tobacco-based legislation.
  • Following a discussion and Q&A with Mr. Billingsley, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the proposed policy revision.
Mr. True reviewed a proposed process to be utilized by the Board in their annual Superintendent Evaluation/Review process.
  • At a previous work session, the Board had requested a recommended procedure be developed for placement in the KCS Administrative Procedures, outlining the processes to be used in evaluating the Superintendent.
  • Following discussion, the Board recommended placement of the procedure in the Procedures Manual.
    • As this item is a procedure and not a Board Policy, no formal vote was to be taken.  The Board simply recommended, without objection, that the item move forward and become the established procedure for evaluating the Superintendent.
Dr. Stringham and KCS Supervisor of Federal Programs Dr. Lamar Smith reviewed information regarding the proposed textbook adoption list for the 2019-20 school year.
  • The textbook adoption committee recommended approval of a blanket adoption of the State list in Social Studies, World Language, CTE Marketing, Finance, Business Management and Administration.
    • Blanket adoption requires a Local Education Agency (LEA) to adopt the entire official list of Section D textbooks approved by the State Board of Education. This allows LEAs flexibility in purchasing textbook materials, as well as approval of textbooks in all Section D categories, including those not currently offered by KCS.
    • Blanket adoption also provides adequate time to make the most fiscally responsible decision in regard to curriculum support aligning to academic standards, applicable assessments, and KCS guiding tenets.
  • Following discussion, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the recommended blanket adoption.
KCS Chief Finance Officer David Frye presented a proposed agreement for professional architectural services for a partial replacement of the Kennedy Elementary School roof.
  • The agreement with James F. Wright is to provided necessary architectural work, including:
    • Preparing construction documents, drawings, and specifications
    • Assisting with the bidding procedure
    • Reviewing shop drawings submitting and samples, as required, and 
    • Providing project supervision, as required, within the duration of the project.
  • The Board voted 4-0 (with Reed-Wright recusing) to approve the agreement.
 
Mr. Frye presented a proposed agreement for professional architectural services for the replacement of the Robinson Middle School roof.
  • The agreement with James F. Wright is to provided necessary architectural work, including:
    • Preparing construction documents required to receive contractor proposals, as well as construction drawings and specifications
    • Assisting with the bidding procedure, and
    • Providing project supervision, as required, within the duration of the project.
  • The Board voted 4-0 (with Reed-Wright recusing) to approve the agreement.
Mr. Frye presented proposed agreements between KCS and Battelle for Kids, to provide services related to Portrait of a Graduate work.
  • The master development and services agreements provides guidance for the Portrait of a Graduate (PoG) initiative.
    • Battelle for Kids would provide strategic leadership, project management, and communications support for the initiative, which seeks to define the unique skills, experiences, and expectations for students by the time they graduate from KCS.
  • The Board approved the agreement by a vote of 5-0.
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The next meeting of the Board of Education will be a work session on Tuesday, April 23 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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Pledge Student Parker Haga
Tonight's Pledge Student Parker
Vikram Nathan
Vikram Nathan
Sasha Neglia
Sasha Neglia
Dr. Chris Hampton
Dr. Chris Hampton
PreK - 4th Grade
PreK - 4th Grade
Grades 5-8
Grades 5-8
Grades 9-12
Grades 9-12
District Teachers of the Year
District Teachers of the Year
Dr. Stacy Edwards
Dr. Stacy Edwards
Jim Nash
Jim Nash
Kingsport Academy for Teacher (KAT)
Kingsport Academy for Teacher (KAT)
Johnson Castle Playground
Johnson Castle Playground