The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education held a called meeting and work session on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. Several important items were discussed, including:
Called Meeting
- Approval of an Agreement related to restoration work at the former Sullivan North High School;
- Awarding of a bid for renovations of the Buck Van Huss Dome at Dobyns-Bennett High School; and
- Approval of 2023-24 Budget Amendment #3.
Work Session
- A review of summer and school year career and technical education offerings at Dobyns-Bennett;
- A report on recent maintenance and facility improvements across the district;
- An update regarding KCS technology supports across the district;
- A report on student discipline data;
- A review of the draft 2024-25 KCS School Calendar; and
- A review of several policies for consideration at the October Board meeting.
Called Meeting Video
Click here to view the archived live stream from tonight's called meeting.
Detailed Called Meeting Notes
Dr. Chris Hampton, Superintendent, and Bart Rowlett, Kingsport City Attorney, presented for approval an agreement related to restoration work at the former Sullivan North High School.
- The agreement with C&C Restoration resolves claims regarding restoration of water damage that took place over the 2022 Winter Break.
- After review, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the agreement.
Dr. Andy True, Assistant Superintendent - Administration, and David Frye, Chief Finance Officer, presented a proposed agreement to award the bid for restoration of the Buck Van Huss Dome.
- Sealed bids for the project were submitted and opened on September 13, 2023. Two bids were received, from JA Street and Associates and Preston Construction.
- The low base bid for the project was submitted by Preston Construction, in the amount of $19,015,000, with a projected completion date of March 2025.
- After the receipt of the bids, the architect worked with the low bidder to identify items in the bid specifications that could be modified to reduce costs without affecting the scope of the bid specifications (known as "Value Engineering").
- Eight add-alternates were submitted, based on potential items that were explored in-depth by a committee of D-B stakeholders as possibilities during the design phase.
- Three alternates were presented this evening as a part of the proposed approval:
- Alternate 1: New lower bowl bleachers
- Alternate 7: Renovation of the exterior dome entry plaza and ramps
- Alternate 8: Additional Parking Area Behind Rear Gym Entrance and ADA Parking at Rear Entrance
- The proposal to the Board was to accept the low bid from Preston Construction of $19,015,000, add alternates 1, 7, and 8 for an additional amount of $1,655,000, and reduce the project cost by accepting value engineering items totaling $264,915. The total contract amount with Preston Construction would be $20,405,085. In addition the Board would approve a 4% contingency of $816,200. When factoring in testing costs, the continued shoring of the existing structure until no longer needed, architect, construction, and other fees, the total proposed project cost is $23,215,000.
- The Board requested that continuing work take place to consider potential cost savings related to Alternate 5 (renovation of locker room and rest room areas). This will be explored prior to the next Board meeting.
- After review, the Board voted 5-0 to award the restoration bid to Preston Construction.
Mr. Frye presented 2023-24 Budget Amendment #3 for consideration.
- The purpose of the Budget Amendment is to allocate the funding necessary for the two agreements previously approved at tonight's called meeting.
- Following review, the Board approved the Budget Amendment by a vote of 5-0.
Detailed Work Session Notes
Nathan Bailey, Associate Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE) at Dobyns-Bennett High School, provided a report on summer and school year CTE opportunities.
- The report reviewed the programs that were utilized by almost 2,400 KCS high school students during the 2022-23 school year, as well as during Summer 2023.
- Click below to learn more about the wide variety of programs available to KCS students to develop industry certifications, work-based learning, and a range of skills preparing them to successfully enter the workforce.
David Sewell, Supervisor of Maintenance and Custodial Services, provided a review of maintenance and facility improvements that have recently taken place across the district.
- The report included work such as the ongoing roofing project at Dobyns-Bennett, the D-B Pool, HVAC replacement at Jefferson Elementary, the new dishwasher at D-B, gymnasium floors at Sevier Middle School, work at D-B EXCEL, painting at Jackson Elementary School, and more.
- Click below to view the full Maintenance and Custodial report.
Andy Arnold, Chief Technology Officer, presented a review of KCS technology efforts across the district.
- The report explored a wide range of systems, hardware, software, and processes that support the department's goals of satisfying customers in a way that creates trust and functioning 100% of systems at 100% capacity, 100% of the time.
- Click below to view the full Technology Report.
Jim Nash, Chief Student Services Officer, presented the annual Discipline data report.
- The report included information regarding discipline processes, data, and supports.
- Click below to view the full Discipline Report.
Dr. True presented the draft 2024-25 KCS Calendar and Designated Holiday Schedule for initial review.
- The proposed 2024-25 calendar is largely unchanged from the 2023-24 KCS Calendar, except for a minor adjustment of Fall Break in 2024 to align with the Dobyns-Bennett Football bye week (Oct. 7-11, 2024).
- Components of the draft calendar include:
- School starts the first full week of August (First student day: Aug. 5, 2024)
- Fall Break: Oct. 7-11, 2024
- Thanksgiving Break: Nov. 27-29, 2024
- Two full weeks off over Christmas/New Years (Dec. 23, 2024 - Jan 3, 2025)
- Spring Break the last full week of March (March 24-28, 2025)
- Spring Holiday: Friday, April 18, 2025
- Last student day: Thursday, May 22, 2025
- It is anticipated that the Board will vote on a final calendar at its October meeting.
Dr. True presented four proposed policies for review:
- 1.400 - School Board Meetings (revised)
- 6.303 - Interrogations and Searches (new)
- 6.309 - Zero Tolerance Offenses (revised)
- 6.4052 - Opioid Antagonist (new)
The Board will consider the policies on first reading at its October meeting.
The next session of the Board of Education will be a meeting on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 6 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Tennessee Room of the Administrative Support Center (400 Clinchfield Street).
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.
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