Kingsport City Schools

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BOE Meeting Notes - November 14, 2023

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The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.  Several key items were discussed, including:
  • Recognition of the Dobyns-Bennett High School Girls Golf team for winning the 2023 TSSAA Team State Championship;
  • Approval of several Board policies;
  • Approval of 2023-24 Budget Amendment #5;
  • Approval to award a bid for HVAC replacement at Lincoln Elementary School;
  • Approval to award a bid for HVAC replacement at Johnson Elementary School; and
  • Approval to amend an agreement for the design of a roof replacement at the Tribe Athletic Center.
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Meeting Audio
Meeting Video
 
  • Click here to view the archived livestream of tonight's Board meeting.
Detailed Meeting Notes

CALL TO ORDER

The Pledge of Allegiance was led this evening by Johnson Elementary School students Hudson Potter and Bentley Shepard.  Hudson and Bentley are both in kindergarten.  Hudson is the son of Tabitha Potter.  Bentley is the son of Hayley Shepard.

Recognitions

Melissa Woods, Board President, recognized the Dobyns-Bennett High School Girls Golf team for winning the 2023 Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association (TSSAA) Team State Championship.
  • The team won the TSSAA Girls Division I Class AA State Championships on October 10, 2023 at the Sevierville Golf Club.
  • D-B's two-day team total score of 297 won the title by a single stroke.  It was the school's first girls golf team state title since 1989. 
Girls Golf Team

business items

Dr. Andy True, Assistant Superintendent - Administration, presented several proposed policies to the Board for consideration on first reading.
  • 4.204 - Summer Instructional Programs
  • 4.700 - Assessment Programs
  • 6.202 - Home Schools
One proposed new Policy was pulled from the consent agenda (2nd reading) for additional review.  Kingsport City Attorney Bart Rowlett was present to provide legal input and guidance.
  • 6.303 - Interrogations and Searches
 
After review and discussion, the Board approved 4.204, 4.700. and 6.202 by a vote of 5-0.  After lengthy discussion, Policy 6.303 was approved by a vote of 4-1.
 
Dr. True presented 2023-24 KCS Budget Amendment #5 for consideration.
  • The proposed budget amendment would allocate funding necessary to approve two capital projects at tonight's meeting:
    • Replacement of the HVAC system at Lincoln Elementary School.
    • Replacement of the HVAC system at Johnson Elementary School.
  • Both school's HVAC systems are nearing their end-of-life and needing to be replaced.  The appropriation of funding through the proposed amendment would be required in order to approve the bids for the project.
  • The budget amendment would move the necessary funds from the Unreserved Fund Balance to the General Project Fund.
  • After review, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the proposed Budget Amendment.
Dr. True presented a recommendation to approve the awarding of a bid for replacement of the HVAC system at Lincoln Elementary School.
  • Due to its approaching its end-of-life, the replacement of the HVAC system is necessary.
  • Four bids for the project were received at a bid opening on October 18, 2023.  The lowest compliant base bid was $2,925,950.00 from HVAC, Inc.  
  • It is recommended that KCS move forward with a contract with HVAC, Inc. for the base bid amount of $2,925,950.00 and the alternate of replacing existing diffusors for $38,160.00, for a total contract price of $2,964,110.00.  The total cost of the project will be $3,277,457.00, including architect fee ($135,500.00) and a six percent contingency ($177,847.00).  
  • Funding will be from ESSER 3.0 and GP2302 Schools HVAC Replacement Project.
  • After review and discussion, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the bid to replace the HVAC system at Lincoln.
Dr. True presented a recommendation to approve the awarding of a bid for replacement of the HVAC system at Johnson Elementary School.
  • Due to its approaching its end-of-life, the replacement of the HVAC system is necessary.
  • Three bids received at a bid opening on November 7, 2023.  The lowest compliant base bid was $3,181,000.00 from S.B. White Company, Inc.  
  • It is recommended that KCS move forward with a contract with S.B. White Company, Inc. for the base bid amount of $3,181,000.00.  The total cost of the project will be $3,499,860.00, including architect fee ($128,000.00) and a six percent contingency ($190,860.00).  Funding will be from ESSER 3.0 and GP2302 Schools HVAC Replacement Project.
  • After review and discussion, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the bid to replace the HVAC system at Johnson.
Dr. True presented a proposed amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Cain Rash West Architects, previously approved on October 10, 2023, for additional services for the Tribe Athletic Complex (TAC) re-roofing project.  
  • The original agreement was for architectural services for the re-roofing over the TAC and vocational area and the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) area.  
  • The potential scope of work has been expanded to include the area that connects these two areas, along with some minor gutter repairs.  
  • The proposed contract amount is for a fee of three percent of the construction amount, not to exceed $48,632.57.  Funding will be from the Sullivan North Renovation Project (GP1733). 
  • After review, the Board approved the proposed amendment by a vote of 5-0.
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The next session of the Board of Education will be a work session on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 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).