BOE Special Called Meeting and Work Session Notes - May 26, 2020

The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education held an electronic special called meeting and regularly scheduled work session on Tuesday, May 26, 2020. Several key items were discussed, including:
  • An approval to issue a blanket textbook order for the 2020-21 school year;
  • An approval to purchase student Chromebook devices;
  • An approval to purchase replacement laptop computers for teachers;
  • An approval to purchase replacement computers for use in school cafeterias;
  • The approval of a bid to construct ADA compatible parking at the Dobyns-Bennett High School track; and
  • The presentation of several Board Policy revisions for future consideration.
Work Session Audio
Determination to Hold Meeting Electronically
 
At the start of tonight's meeting, the Board made the determination that to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the participants and observers, it was necessary to hold tonight's called meeting and work session electronically.
Detailed Called Meeting Notes
Dr. Rhonda Stringham, KCS Assistant Superintendent - Instruction, presented a recommendation to approve a blanket textbook order for the 2020-21 school year.
  • The order with Tennessee Textbook Company would cover purchase of Reading/English Language Arts materials for students in grades K-8.
  • After review and consideration, the Board approved the blanket textbook order by a vote of 5-0.
 
David Frye, Chief Finance Officer, and Dr. Tony Robinson, Chief Technology Officer, presented a recommendation to purchase student technology devices to begin use in the 2020-21 school year.
  • The recommendation is to purchase chromebook devices for students in 6th and 9th grades.
    • Device Type:  Lenovo 100e
    • Device Cost:  $288.95 (each)
    • Number of devices to be purchased:  Approx. 1,300
  • After review and discussion, the Board approved the purchase by a vote of 5-0.
Mr. Frye and Dr. Robinson presented a proposal to purchase laptops and docking stations to replace outdated teacher devices.
  • Funding for the purchase is available within the 2019-20 technology budget.
    • Device Type:  Dell Latitude 5500
    • Device Cost:  $1,003.93 + $170.99 (docking station)
    • Number of devices to be purchased:  100
  • After review and discussion, the Board approved the purchase of teacher replacement devices by a vote of 5-0.
Mr. Frye and Dr. Robinson presented a proposal to purchase new computers to replace outdated computers currently in use in cafeterias throughout the district.
  • Funding for the purchase will come from the 2019-20 School Nutrition Services (SNS) budget.
  • It is recommended to purchase 52 devices from Dell for a total of $50,647.37.
  • After review and consideration, the Board approved the purchase of new SNS computers by a vote of 5-0.
Mr. Frye presented a review of bids recently received regarding the construction of new ADA-compatible parking at the Dobyns-Bennett High School Track facility.
  • The low bid of $139,000 was submitted by Mitch Cox Construction.
  • The project addresses a complaint related to an ADA accessibility issue at the track facility.
  • After review and consideration, the Board approved the bid by a vote of 5-0.
    • Construction will take place this summer, adding parking between the track and J. Fred Johnson Stadium. 
Detailed Work Session Notes
Andy True, KCS Assistant Superintendent - Administration, reviewed three policy revisions recommended by the Tennessee School Boards Association:
  • 3.600 - Insurance Management
  • 5.117 - Procedure for Granting Tenure
  • 5.118 - Background Investigations
  • Each policy revision will be presented for a formal vote at an upcoming Board meeting.
The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at 6 p.m.  
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.