The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, June 8, 2021. Several key items were discussed, including:
- A special recognition by Kingsport Mayor Pat Shull thanking Board Member Eric Hyche for his service and tenure as a KCS Board of Education member;
- A special presentation by Tennessee Representatives John Crawford and Bud Hulsey recognizing Dobyns-Bennett High School Principal Dr. Chris Hampton and KCS Superintendent Dr. Jeff Moorhouse for being named First Tennessee Principal of the Year (Dr. Hampton) and Superintendent of the Year (Dr. Moorhouse);
- Recognition of the Dobyns-Bennett High School Science and Technology Center for winning the Tennessee Concrete Association's Architectural and Engineering Award;
- Recognition of the Robinson Middle School Science Olympiad team for recently winning the overall Tennessee Division B Team tournament;
- Approval of an agreement for architectural services at Dobyns-Bennett (roofing and pool dehumidification);
- Approval of a bid for cooling tower replacement at Dobyns-Bennett;
- Approval of elementary school zone changes for three elementary schools for the 2021-22 school year;
- Organization of the Board of Education for the 2021-22 year;
- A report on KCS summer programs; and
- A report on the KCS use of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds.
CALL TO ORDER
The Pledge of Allegiance was led this evening by Quinn and Tradd Weems, Nathaniel Anttila, and Ceara Clark. Quinn is a rising 5th grader at Johnson Elementary School and Tradd is a rising 6th grader at Robinson Middle School. Nathaniel and Ceara are both rising 2nd graders at Johnson.
special presentations
Four special presentations and recognitions were made this evening:
- Kingsport Mayor Pat Shull recognized Board Member Eric Hyche for his service and tenure as a KCS Board of Education member.
- This evening marks the last Board of Education business meeting for Mr. Hyche as a member of the Board. Mr. Hyche was appointed to the Board in 2014 to complete a one-year term of service due to a Board member resignation. He was elected to the Board in 2015 for a two-year term ending in 2017. Eric was elected Board President in July 2016 and re-elected for a four-year term on the Board in 2017.
- Tennessee Representatives John Crawford and Bud Hulsey recognized Dobyns-Bennett Principal Dr. Chris Hampton and KCS Superintendent Dr. Jeff Moorhouse for being named First Tennessee Principal of the Year (Dr. Hampton) and Superintendent of the Year (Dr. Moorhouse);
- A principal and superintendent of the year are named annually in each of Tennessee's nine core regions. Having won this recognition, Dr. Hampton and Dr. Moorhouse will now move forward to be considered for state-wide recognition.
- The Dobyns-Bennett Science and Technology Center was recognized for winning the Tennessee Concrete Association's Architectural and Engineering Award.
- Dobyns-Bennett was named the best of all buildings nominated in the state of Tennessee and also won the Grand Champion Award, which includes all nominated concrete projects in the state of Tennessee.
- The award recipients were Ready Mix USA, Burwil Construction, Perkins and Will Architects, Haun Concrete Construction, and the City of Kingsport/Kingsport City Schools.
- The Robinson Middle School Science Olympiad team was recognized for recently winning the overall Tennessee Division B Team tournament.
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This year's state tournament was held virtually on April 24, 2021.
- This is the first time a team from KCS has been named the Science Olympiad state champion.
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The Robinson team will now represent the State of Tennessee at the National Science Olympiad Tournament, which will be held on May 21-22, 2021 at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ.
- Science Olympiad is an international nonprofit organization devoted to improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest in science, and providing recognition for outstanding achievement in science education by both students and teachers.
business items
David Frye, Chief Finance Officer, presented three proposed agreements for Board approval, all for architectural services at Dobyns-Bennett.
- The proposed agreements are with Thompson & Litton to provide architectural services for three major D-B construction projects:
- Reroofing of the school (architectural cost of $313,666.44)
- Reroofing of the Buck Van Huss Dome (architectural cost of $30,526.44)
- Replacement of the pool dehumidification system (architectural cost of $17,250)
- After review and discussion, the Board approved the architectural agreements by a vote of 3-0.
Mr. Frye presented a proposal to accept a bid to replace the Dobyns-Bennett cooling tower.
- Four bids were received for the cooling tower replacement project, two of which were non-compliant.
- The low bid was submitted by S.B. White Company, Inc. in the amount of $1,324,000.
- The total cost of the project, including architects fee ($30,000) and a six percent contingency ($79,440) is $1,433,440 and will be funded by ESSER 3.0 funds.
- Following review and discussion, the Board approved the bid to replace the D-B cooling tower by a vote of 3-0.
Jim Nash, Chief Student Services Officer, presented a review of proposed elementary school zone changes.
- The changes are proposed to address enrollment and capacity concerns and would impact a total of just over 100 students attending three elementary schools (Adams, Johnson, and Lincoln).
- The proposed zoning changes would take effect for the 2021-22 school year, though any rezoned student that wishes to remain in their currently zoned school through 5th grade could do so (providing own transportation).
- After review, the Board approved the zoning changes by a vote of 3-0.
- Individuals impacted by the zoning change approved this evening will receive direct communication (by email or USPS) in the coming days from the KCS Student Services Department notifying them of the zoning change for their residence. This communication will also include details on how to communicate with KCS regarding which school the child choses to attend during the 2021-22 school year.
- Click below to view the information regarding the approved zoning changes, including zoning maps.
Jim Welch, Board President, presided over the election of Board officers for the 2021-22 year.
- Mr. Welch was reelected President of the Board for the coming year.
- Mrs. Julie Byers was reelected Vice President of the Board for the coming year.
Dr. Dwain Arnold, Chief Academic Officer - Elementary, Dr. Brian Cinnamon, Chief Academic Officer - Secondary, and Sara Wallingford, Associate Principal at Johnson Elementary School, provided a report on summer programs taking place throughout KCS.
- The report included an overview of the learning opportunities available to students this summer for students in K-12.
- Additional opportunities are also available through partnerships with Kingsport Parks and Recreation and the Greater Kingsport YMCA.
- Click below to view tonight's full report.
Dr. Rhonda Stringham, Assistant Superintendent - Instruction, presented a report on the KCS plan for using Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds during the 2021-22 school year.
- Three rounds of ESSER funding have been made available to KCS:
- ESSER 1.0 = $1,685,794.98
- ESSER 2.0 = $7,603,109.14
- ESSER 3.0 = $17,075,503.09
- To view the presentation that reviews allocations and funding priorities for KCS ESSER funds, please click below.
The next meeting of the Board of Education will be a work session on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at 6 p.m. The work session will take place in the Tennessee Room of the Administrative Support Center (400 Clinchfield Street).
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 (
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