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BOE Work Session Notes - April 23, 2019

BOE Work Session
The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education held a special called meeting and work session on Tuesday, April 23, 2019. Several key items were discussed, including:
  • Passage of a resolution opposing Education Savings Accounts (often referred to as vouchers) in Tennessee;
  • A report on STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Math) education taking place across KCS;
  • A review on the status of the 2019-2020 KCS budget; and
  • A review of one new and one proposed policy revision to be considered for passage at the May Board meeting.
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Work Session Audio
Detailed Called Meeting Notes
During tonight's called meeting, the Board considered passage of a resolution opposing the creation of Education Savings Accounts (ESA) in Tennessee.
  • Commonly referred to as vouchers, ESAs would redirect public taxpayer money to fund private education options, which often have reduced or no accountability such as public reporting and state testing.
  • The resolution opposes any legislation or similar effort to create an Education Savings Account program in Tennessee that would divert money intended for public education to private entities.
  • After discussion, the Board approved the resolution and affirmed the position of the district opposing Education Savings Accounts by a vote of 3-0 (absent:  Hyche, Reed-Wright).
Detailed Work Session Notes
KCS Chief Academic Officer - Elementary Dr. Dwain Arnold, Chief Academic Officer - Secondary Dr. Brian Cinnamon, and STREAM Specialists Andrea Fissel and Wendy Courtney provided an update on Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STREAM) education taking place across KCS.
  • The goal of STREAM programming is to embed a culture of STREAM in all school settings by providing opportunities such as robotics, coding, and project-based learning.
  • STREAM Specialists work to support the development and dissemination of high-quality resources and support for project-based learning.  They also support the continuous improvement of science instruction and implementation of promising practices.
  • The development of strong STREAM education in KCS is supported by community partners such as Eastman and STREAMWORKS.
  • Click below to view tonight's full STREAM report.
KCS Chief Finance Officer David Frye presented an update on the development of the 2019-20 KCS Budget.
  • Initial revenue estimates are currently being calculated, based on preliminary information from the state BEP allocation, county property and sales taxes, and transfers from the City of Kingsport.
  • Expenditures for next year are still being finalized.  Some items that will need to be included are step increases, retirement rate increases, and increases in utilities, vehicle maintenance, and safe schools local match.   
  • Final estimates on revenues and expenses, as well as budget priorities, will be determined over the next two weeks to finalize the budget proposal.
  • The Board expects to hold a called meeting on Tuesday, May 7 at 6 p.m. in order to review and approve a final budget for 2019-20.   
Assistant Superintendent - Administration Andy True provided an update on two potential policy actions.
  • Policy 4.209 - Alternative Credit Options
    • This is a new proposed policy, recommended by the Tennessee School Boards Association.
    • This program is scheduled to be available to students in the 2019-2020 school year. It will allow students across the state the same access to certain "course access courses" that may not otherwise be available at their schools.
    • The recently created State Board of Education Rule 0520-01-14-.03 outlines the process for the application, approval, and monitoring of the program. It also requires all local boards to adopt a policy for hearing appeals from denials of Course Access Program course enrollments.
    • The proposed policy is modeled after the TSBA model policy.
  • Policy 4.603 - Promotion and Retention 
    • State Board Policy 3.300 now includes a new parental notification requirement for students in kindergarten through third grade who are not meeting the expectations of grade-level standards in reading, which must be included in local policy. This State Board policy also now requires districts to compile a list of students that may be considered for retention by February 1st.
    • The proposed policy revision is modeled after the TSBA model policy wording.
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The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be a special called meeting on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at 6 p.m.  The meeting will take place in the Tennessee Room of the Administrative Support Center (400 Clinchfield Street).
 
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