Kingsport City Schools

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BOE Called Meeting Notes - August 3, 2020

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The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education held a called meeting on Monday, August 3, 2020.  Two agenda items were discussed, including:
  • Approval of the 2020-21 KCS back-to-school operations plan; and 
  • Approval of a purchase of student technology devices.
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Meeting Audio
Detailed Meeting Notes

CALL TO ORDER

The Board made the determination that due to the COVID-19 pandemic and per Governor Bill Lee's Executive Order 51, it was necessary to hold tonight's meeting electronically to protect the health, safety, and welfare of participants and observers. By a roll-call response, each Board member affirmed an electronic meeting was necessary.

business items

The Board reviewed plans and details related to the start of the 2020-21 school year (click the above link to hear the full meeting audio of the discussion.  
  • After discussion, the Board approved the operations plan (linked below) by a vote of 3 (Hyche, Upshaw, Welch) -2 (Byers, Golden).
    • Major components of the plan include:
    • First student day: Monday, August 10, 2020.
      • All face-to-face students will start the year with virtual instruction on Monday, August 10, 2020 (until further notice).
      • Students who have previously selected Remote Choice Learning 2020 will remain virtual, as planned.  
    • Ongoing school operations will be decided based on a review of health data and guidance from groups such as administration, the Sullivan County Regional Health Department, and the Tennessee Department of Health.
    • If data indicates a decrease from substantial spread to minimal-to-moderate spread, face-to-face students will return to school for in-person instruction.  Board members expressed a desire to review data and current status information at the September Board meeting.  All Board members and Dr. Moorhouse expressed the ultimate desire to return students to in-person instruction while maintaining the safest possible environment for students and staff. 
    • KCS will continue to evaluate as more information emerges. This will include analysis of other communities where reentry is being accomplished effectively in spite of substantial spread.
    • Click below to view the full approved plan.
Dr. Tony Robinson, Chief Technology Officer, and David Frye, Chief Finance Officer, presented a quote to purchase Chromebooks and Chromebook tablets, utilizing ESSER Grant funds.
  • The proposal covers approximately 962 devices (402 Chromebooks and 560 Chromebook tablets) for KCS students.
  • The total cost for the purchase, including devices, licenses, and service fees, is $233,896.
  • After review and discussion, the Board approved the purchase by a vote of 5-0.
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The next meeting of the Board of Education will be a meeting on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at 6 p.m.  
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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).