The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education held a called meeting and work session on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. Several key items were discussed, including:
Called Meeting
- Approval of a bid to relocate an existing cooling tower from the former Sullivan North High School campus to Robinson Middle School;
- Rejection of a bid to renovate the former Sullivan North High School;
Work Session
- A report on Handle with Care, a program to protect and support children;
- An update on the development of the 2022-23 KCS Budget; and
- Presentation of a proposed KCS Policy revision.
Called Meeting and Work Session Audio
Detailed Called Meeting Notes
David Frye, Chief Finance Officer, presented information regarding a bid to relocate the cooling tower from the former Sullivan North High School to Robinson Middle School.
- Robinson Middle School has two cooling towers to service the school. One of the two towers is currently inoperable and is beyond repair. After a review of options, it was determined that moving the existing tower from Sullivan North and reinstalling it at Robinson was the most cost-effective and fastest solution.
- The cooling tower at North is estimated to have greater-than-50 percent of its life remaining, and is not planned to be used in any renovation of the North HVAC system.
- Moving the tower to Robinson will allow full HVAC capability at RNR in a timeframe that is much faster than it would take to bid and install a brand new tower, and at a significantly lower cost than purchasing a new unit.
- Four bids were submitted for the project, with the low bid submitted by S.B White for a base-bid cost of $363,900.
- After review, the Board approved the bid by a vote of 5-0. Work on the project is expected to be completed by the start of the 2022-23 school year.
Mr. Frye reviewed bid information regarding the renovation of the former Sullivan North High School to a KCS middle school.
- One bid was submitted for the project, with the base bid totaling $22,600,000. With the addition of accepted alternates, the contract awarded would be $23,604,000. Potential adjustments to this total could include value engineering (reductions), as well as associated architects fees, contingencies, and additional expenses (additions). When totaled, the expected costs would exceed the amount of funding that has been budgeted for the project.
- After review and discussion, the Board voted 5-0 to reject the submitted bid.
- Based on the Board's action tonight, consideration will take place considering next steps. It was noted during the discussion that an upcoming updated facilities study, which has been requested, can inform such planning.
Detailed Work Session Notes
Jim Nash, Chief Student Services Officer, presented information regarding the Handle with Care program.
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The program promotes safe and supportive homes, schools, and communities that protect children while helping traumatized children heal and thrive.
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The program promotes school-community partnerships aimed at ensuring children who are exposed to trauma in their home, school, or community receive appropriate interventions to help them achieve academically at their highest levels despite whatever traumatic circumstances they may have endured.
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The ultimate goal of the program is to help students to succeed in school.
- Click below to view the Handle with Care presentation.
Mr. Frye provided a report regarding the status of the KCS 2022-23 Budget, which is currently under development.
- Click below to view Mr. Frye's presentation this evening. NOTE: The figures listed in the report should not be interpreted as formal recommendations/proposals. They are simply informational regarding potential components of the Budget, which will be developed and finalized for future Board consideration.
- A final budget will be presented to the Board for approval in May.
Dr. Andy True, Assistant Superintendent - Administration, along with Mr. Nash, presented information regarding one proposed Board policy revision.
- 6.206 - Open Enrollment
- In 2021, the Tennessee General Assembly passed Public Chapter 479, which goes into effect for the
2022-23 school year. The change in TCA requires districts to make changes to their open
enrollment policies and practices. Districts must identify each school that has space to serve
additional students, post the number of space available for enrollment at least 14 days prior to the
open enrollment period, conduct an open enrollment period of at least 30 days before the start of the
school year, and conduct a lottery to select the students who will be chosen to transfer if the number
of applicants for transfer exceeds the number of spaces available. TSBA model policy wording has
been incorporated into the existing KCS Board Policy to reflect such requirements.
- The Board discussed changes to state law and the Board policy this evening. Formal action regarding a policy revision may take place at the May 3, 2022 Board meeting.
The next meeting of the Board of Education will be on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at 6 p.m. The meeting 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, read our blog, We Are 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), Instagram (
@kcs_district), Twitter (
@KCS_District), LinkedIn (
Kingsport City Schools), and check out our YouTube Channel (
KPTSchools).
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