Kingsport City Schools

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BOE Meeting Notes - December 8, 2020

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The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, December 8, 2020.  Several key items were discussed, including:
  • A report on the Jackson Elementary School Leader in Me Lighthouse review;
  • Recognition of the student artist who created this year's KCS Christmas card;
  • Approval of an agreement regarding an optional health transportation benefit for employees;
  • Approval of an agreement regarding digital ticketing for winter and spring athletic events;
  • A quarterly financial report; and 
  • A review of the 2021-22 KCS Budget process and timeline.
 
Carrie UpshawTonight's meeting began with an appreciation and a moment of silence to honor Mrs. Carrie Upshaw, who passed away on Sunday, December 6th.  Mrs. Upshaw was a three-term member of the Board, having served since 2009.  She also served as Board President for five of her 12 years on the Board.  Mrs. Upshaw's contributions to the Board were numerous, having provided leadership on major projects such as the creation of D-B EXCEL, the development of the Dobyns-Bennett High School Science and Technology Center, and the construction of the KCS Administrative Support Center.  She was a member of the Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA) All Tennessee School Board, was a Level IV board member, and was an active participant in conferences and public school advocacy at both the state and national level. Her long history of service to the children, families, and employees of Kingsport also includes holding the role of PTA president at both Washington Elementary and John Sevier Middle School.  
 
 
 
 
Lib DudneyThe Board also recognized former teacher, former Board member, and KCS Hall of Fame educator Lib Dudney, who passed away on December 1st.  Ms. Dudney retired from KCS in 1985 after serving as a science teacher at both Sevier and Dobyns-Bennett. She was elected to the Kingsport Board of Education in 1985 and served as Board president from 1991-1993. During her retirement, she was vital in leading efforts to build the D-B Alumni Fieldhouse. Ms. Dudney was elected to the KCS Hall of Fame in 2016.
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Meeting Audio
Detailed Meeting Notes

CALL TO ORDER

The Pledge of Allegiance was led this evening by Breccan and Finlee Herron.  Breccan and Finlee are kindergartener's at Kennedy Elementary School.   

Community Interest Report

Jackson Principal Dr. Kyle Loudermilk and Library Media Specialist Lindsey Golden presented a report to the Board regarding the Jackson Elementary School Leader in Me Lighthouse review process currently underway.
  • The Leader in Me provides a personal growth and leadership development focus for students based on the Franklin Covey 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
  • Jackson Elementary School has been developing The Leader in Me program since 2016.
  • The Lighthouse Certification represents a highly-regarded standard that is attainable by every Leader in Me school.
    • It is a significant benchmark which is typically sought four to five years after a school begins the Leader in Me process.
    • The certification is evidence that schools have produced outstanding results in school and student outcomes by implementing the Leader in Me process with fidelity and excellence.  It is also because of the extraordinary impact that the schools may be having on staff, students, parents, and the greater community.
  • Leader in Me schools maintain their Lighthouse Certification for two years and continue to foster their growth in exemplifying a leadership culture.  At the end of the two years, schools may recertify to maintain their Lighthouse Certification.
  • Click below to view the full Lighthouse review presentation.
  • UPDATE:  Jackson Elementary School received word late today that they have received the Leader in Me Lighthouse Certification! 
Leader in Me Lighthouse Certification

recognitions

Bryan Hobbs, a 3rd grader at Adams Elementary School, was recognized by Andy True, Assistant Superintendent - Administration, for being selected as the winning artwork for the 2020 KCS Christmas card. 
  • Each year, KCS selects a piece of student-designed artwork as the cover to the annual holiday card.
  • In recognition of his honor, Bryan received a stack of cards highlighting his designe and a framed version of his card for display.
  • Bryan is in Mrs. Lisa Fernandez-Mitchell's art class at Adams.  
2020 KCS Card

business items

Chief Human Resource Officer Jennifer Guthrie reviewed a proposed membership agreement between KCS and AirMedCare Network.
  • The proposed agreement would allow for employees to participate in an optional program providing coverage related to air ambulance services.
  • Employees would have the option of participating in the program through payroll deductions. 
  • There is no cost to the district in providing this optional benefit for employees, should they choose to participate.  
  • After review and discussion, the Board voted 4-0 to approve the agreement with AirMedCare Network.
Chief Finance Officer David Frye reviewed a proposed agreement between KCS and Huddle Tickets, LLC, doing business as GoFan, for the use of their ticket sales platform for winter and spring athletic events.
  • To support individual safety, the use of the online platform provides the opportunity for contact-free ticket/entry experience at the event admission point.  The use of the GoFan platform also supports the facilitation of capacity restrictions related to COVID-19 procedures.  
  • The use of GoFan adds to the safety and security of the ticket transaction process, eliminating the volume of cash present on-site and improving ticket accounting procedures.  
  • Individuals will purchase tickets online or using the GoFan app, which is then utilized at the event entry point.  This is the same platform currently required for use at all TSSAA tournament events and is used throughout the region by other schools.
  • There is no cost to schools for the services.  GoFan charges a $1 service charge per ticket for use of the service when the ticket is purchased.
  • The recommendation of staff this evening is that the Board approve the agreement with Huddle Tickets, LLC for winter and spring sports, subject to minor modifications that may be deemed necessary by the Kingsport City Attorney.
  • After review and discussion, approval was granted by a vote of 4-0.

REPORTS

 
Mr. Frye presented a financial update for the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2020-21.
  • Click below to view the full financial update.
Mr. Frye also presented an overview of the process and timeline for the development of the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Budget.
  • The Budget will be development in the coming months, with a preliminary recommended draft finalized in February/March 2021.
  • It is anticipated that the Budget will be presented to the Board of Education for review at the April, 27, 2021 Work Session and for approval at the May 11, 2021 Meeting.
  • Final approval of the Budget is required by the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen in May, 2021.
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The next meeting of the Board of Education will be on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 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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For more information on KCS, visit www.k12k.com, listen live on WCSK 90.3 FM, The Voice of KCS, download our mobile app for Apple/Android devices or call (423) 378.2100. We’re social too; follow us on Facebook (Kingsport City Schools), Twitter (@KCS_District), Instagram (@kcs_district), LinkedIn (Kingsport City Schools), and check out our YouTube Channel (KPTSchools).