The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education held a called meeting and work session on Tuesday, August 23, 2022. Several key items were discussed, including:
Called Meeting
- Approval of a facility use agreement for Dobyns-Bennett High School athletics;
- Approval of a contract amendment for surveillance camera equipment in KCS schools; and
- Approval of an HVAC equipment purchase related to the former Sullivan North High School property.
Work Session
- Information from the annual bullying report submitted to the State of Tennessee;
- A facilities update regarding Dobyns-Bennett High School and the Buck Van Huss Dome, as well as other facility use during the dome's closure; and
- A discussion regarding Policy 4.101 - Instructional Standards, which was pulled from the consent agenda at the August Board meeting for further discussion and potential revision.
Called Meeting and Work Session Audio
Detailed Called Meeting Notes
David Frye, Chief Finance Officer, presented a proposed facility use agreement between KCS and TNT Sportsplex, an indoor multi-purpose athletics facility located in downtown Kingsport.
- The proposed agreement outlines the provisions for using court space for practice by Dobyns-Bennett High School athletics.
- The term of the agreement is for one year with automatic renewals for a maximum of two year successive periods.
- After review and discussion, the Board approved the agreement by a vote of 5-0.
Mr. Frye reviewed a request from Central Technologies, Inc. to amend the contract amount for the district-wide surveillance camera system upgrade (previously approved by the Board) to include the cost of performance and payment bonds.
- With the addition of the bonds, the total cost of the agreement will be $1,002,919.78.
- Funding for the project is coming from the School Security/Technology Upgrades Project GP2022.
- After discussion, the Board approved the amendment by a vote of 5-0.
Mr. Frye presented a proposed HVAC equipment purchase to service the KCS gymnasium located at the former Sullivan North High School property.
- Six Trane HVAC units were proposed for purchase, to heat/cool the main gymnasium area and the entry concourse area.
- The total cost for the six units is $636,100, with funding coming from the Sullivan North High School Renovation budget.
- After review and discussion, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the purchase.
Detailed Work Session Notes
Jim Nash, Chief Student Services Officer, presented information from the annual Bullying Report recently submitted to the State of Tennessee.
- Board Policy 6.304 outlines the definitions and timelines regarding bullying reporting to the State and to the Kingsport Board of Education.
- Mr. Nash's report included a historical review of bullying data, as well as how such incidents are addressed in KCS schools.
Mr. Frye and Dr. True provided a report regarding the status of the Buck Van Huss Dome at Dobyns-Bennett High School.
- While preparing for a campus-wide roofing project at D-B, KCS executed structural testing during Summer 2022 on the wooden Lamella dome structure in the Buck Van Huss Dome. Such testing was pursued as a proactive measure due to the material and age of the structure (wooden beams over 50 years old) prior to resurfacing of the dome roof. Results of the initial test indicated reduced moisture content and density in the dome’s upper wooden rings. Out of caution while seeking additional information, KCS and Dobyns-Bennett High School closed use of the gymnasium, relocating school and athletic activities to other areas of the D-B campus, the Civic Auditorium, and other locations in Kingsport.
- During the week of August 15, 2022, engineers from Dome Technology (Idaho), a recognized leader in dome engineering and construction, visited the D-B campus to physically inspect the dome structure and review the previously collected data. The initial response from the engineers while on-site confirmed the previous decision to stop use of the dome out of an abundance of caution while a final analysis and report was produced. The final report is expected in two-to-four weeks.
- Due to the timeframe of the expected receipt of the dome analysis report, officials with KCS and the City of Kingsport are recommending executing contingency plans to renovate the KCS gymnasium at the former Sullivan North High School to prepare the facility for long-term use by the Kingsport community and Kingsport City Schools, as well as for the upcoming Dobyns-Bennett High School basketball season.
Dr. True shared background information regarding Policy 4.101 - Instructional Standards.
- Policy 4.101 was pulled from the consent agenda (presented on 2nd reading) by a Board member at the August 9, 2022 Board meeting for further discussion and potential revision.
- An extensive discussion took place this evening regarding the policy and the proposed revision.
- To hear the Board's discussion, click on the "Called Meeting and Work Session Audio" above. The discussion regarding Policy 4.101 begins at the 40:30 minute mark in the recording.
The next meeting of the Board of Education will be on Tuesday, September 13, 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).
Skip to main content
