Kingsport City Schools

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BOE Meeting Notes - June 11, 2024

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The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.  Several key items were discussed, including:
  • Recognition of a KCS student for winning the National Civics Bee Tennessee State Finals competition;
  • Recognition of John Adams Elementary School for being named a National Model Professional Learning Community (PLC) at Work School;
  • Recognition of the Rotary Club of Kingsport for support and book donations to KCS students;
  • Approval of a new Board Policy regarding random student drug testing of high school students involved in voluntary extracurricular activities;
  • Approval of random drug testing regulations and procedures;
  • Approval of districtwide Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for all KCS schools in 2024-25; and
  • Approval of a bid to purchase School Nutrition program equipment for use in several KCS kitchens.
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Meeting Livestream and Audio
 
Click here to view the archived livestream of tonight's meeting.
Detailed Meeting Notes

CALL TO ORDER

The Pledge of Allegiance was led this evening by Belinda and Daisy Tenangueno.  Belinda is a rising 6th grader and Daisy is a rising 3rd grader.  Both attended Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School last year.

Recognitions

Board member Julie Byers recognized Charlotte Ensminger, a former 8th grader at Ross N. Robinson Middle School and rising 9th grader at Dobyns-Bennett High School, for being named the winner in the National Civics Bee Tennessee State Finals competition held in Nashville on May 3, 2024.
  • As a state champion, Charlotte is invited to Washington, D.C. to compete in the inaugural National Civics Bee Championships on November 12, 2024.
  • The National Civics Bee competition requires middle school students to submit an online essay which identifies a problem facing their community and how a citizen might solve it. The competition is modeled on traditional spelling and geography bees, and encourages students to share ideas for improving their communities and show their enthusiasm for civics.
 
Board member Todd Golden recognized John Adams Elementary School for being named a National Model Professional Learning Community (PLC) at Work School by Solution Tree.
  • The PLC at Work process was a major contributing factor in the achievement obtained by Adams' students.
  • Adams Elementary School is one of approximately 600 schools and districts in the United States and Canada to receive this honor. Adams is one of only seven schools in Tennessee, and one of only two Tennessee elementary schools, to earn this status. 
  • Schools and districts selected for this recognition have shown a sustained commitment to helping all students achieve at high levels and have been willing to alter structure and culture to reflect this commitment. 
 
Board Vice President Dr. Brandon Fletcher recognized the Rotary Club of Kingsport for their service and the donation of hundreds of books to KCS students.
  • To celebrate 100 years of service to the Kingsport community the Rotary Club donated a free copy of the a newly published children's book "Grace and Grumpy:  A Tail of Giving" to all PreK and elementary students in KCS.
  • The book is about two puppies who are neighbors that set off to change the world by giving to others. The book also includes an activity section providing a more in-depth learning experience about the Rotary message of "Service Above Self." 
  • The recognition was received by Rotary Club of Kingsport President Dr. Heather Cook.

business items

Dr. Andy True, Assistant Superintendent - Administration, presented one new policy for review and approval on second reading.
  • 6.3071 - Student Drug Testing (new).
  • After review, Policy 6.3071 was passed on second reading by a vote of 5-0. 
Dr. True reviewed proposed regulations and procedures for random student drug testing for the 2024-2025 school year.
  • Per Policy 6.3071, students in grades 9-12 participating in voluntary extracurricular activities may be randomly selected for drug testing throughout the academic school year.
  • Per the policy and Tennessee State Law, Boards of Education must approve of procedures and guidelines regarding such testing programs.
  • Click below to view the full document outlining the proposed regulations and procedures.
  • Following review and discussion, the Board voted 4-1 to approve the proposed regulations and procedures.
Dr. True, Jennifer Walker (Supervisor of School Nutrition Services), and David Frye (Chief Finance Officer) presented a recommendation to implement districtwide use of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for all KCS schools in 2024-25.
  • Under the proposed CEP program, all students in all KCS schools would be eligible for a breakfast meal and a lunch meal free of charge.
  • Currently, KCS operates CEP program in six schools (Sevier Middle, Jackson Elementary, Kennedy Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Roosevelt Elementary, and the Palmer Center).  The proposal would expand the program to all KCS schools.
  • Based on the calculation of the Identified Student Percentage, KCS meets eligibility guidelines for districtwide CEP.  It is up to the district to determine if it is financially viable and a desired operational path.
  • After review and discussion, the Board voted 4-0 to approve districtwide CEP beginning with the 2024-25 school year.
Mr. Frye presented a proposed bid to purchase School Nutrition program equipment for use in several KCS kitchens.
  • Two bids were opened on May 30, 2024 for the purchase of a variety of kitchen equipment.  The low bid was submitted by Trimark USA, LLC for a total cost of $256,780.75.
  • Funding for the purchase would come from the School Nutrition Services budget.  School Nutrition Services is a self-supporting department within Kingsport City Schools.
  • Following review, the Board voted 4-0 to approve the bid to purchase equipment from Trimark USA, LLC.
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The next session of the Board of Education will be a meeting on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at 6 p.m.  The work session will take place in the Tennessee Room of the Administrative Support Center (400 Clinchfield Street).
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KCS has been ranked the "#1 Best Place to Teach in Tennessee" by the 2023 NICHE Best Schools Ranking and the City of Kingsport has been voted as the "Nicest Places in America" in the October 2022 Reader's Digest.
 
For more information visit www.k12k.com, listen live on WCSK 90.3 FM, The Voice of KCS, or call the KCS Administrative Support Center at (423) 378.2100. We’re social too; follow us on Facebook (kcsdistrict), Instagram (kcs__district), Twitter (@kcs__district), LinkedIn (kcsdistrict), and check out our YouTube Channel (@kcs__district).