Kingsport City Schools

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BOE Meeting Notes - August 13, 2024

The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, August 13, 2024.  Several key items were discussed, including:
  • Recognition of D-B EXCEL for being redesignated as a Tennessee STEM School for 2024;
  • Approval of the purchase of laptop devices for KCS teachers;
  • Approval of several policies on first reading;
  • Approval of the KCS Visitor Code of Conduct; and
  • Election of Board officers for the coming year.
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 Carter Slaughter.  Carter is a 6th grader at John Sevier Middle School.

Recognitions

Board member Julie Byers recognized D-B EXCEL for being redesignated as a Tennessee STEM School for 2024.
  • The designation reflects a school's dedication to rigorous STEM/STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics) learning where students explore 21st century skills, acquire workforce development at all levels, and embrace problem-solving methods that can apply throughout life's challenges.
  • The designation was initially earned by D-B EXCEL in 2018.  DBE is one of only 15 schools in Tennessee to receive the re-designation this year.
  • Schools receiving this honor also serve as models from which others may visit and learn. 

business items

David Frye, Chief Finance Officer, presented a recommendation to purchase 170 laptop devices for KCS teachers.
  • The proposed purchase of laptop devices and Pens from Dell Marketing L.P. would utilize the Wilson County Schools Cooperative Purchasing Agreement.
  • The proposed purchase of Dell Latitude 5350 laptops was for a unit cost of $1,264.64 each and for Dell Premier Rechargeable Active Pens at $60.74 each, for a total cost of $225,314.60.
  • The laptops and pens would be for teachers in grades Pre-K - 2nd grade, as well as elementary related arts teachers.
  • Funding for this purchase would be from the School General Purpose Funds and ESSER. 
  • After review, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the purchase of teacher laptop devices.
Dr. Andy True, Assistant Superintendent - Administration, presented several Policies for consideration on first reading.  The policies have previously been discussed in depth at the July Board work session.
  • 1.108 - Nepotism (revised)
  • 1.501 - Visitors to Schools (revised)
  • 2.403 - Surplus Property Sales (revised)
  • 2.601 - Fundraising Activities (revised)
  • 3.205 - Security (revised)
  • 3.500 - Food Service Management (revised)
  • 4.214 - Use of Artificial Intelligence Programs (new)
  • 4.403 - Library Materials (revised)
  • 6.409 - Child Abuse and Neglect (revised)
  • After review, the Board approved the policies on first reading by a vote of 5-0. 
Dr. True presented a proposed Visitor Code of Conduct for review and approval.
  • As a result of a new Tennessee state law passed in 2024 (Public Chapter 810), school districts are required to approve a Visitor Code of Conduct.
  • Board Policy 1.501 outlines the specific requirements and prohibited conduct reflected in the proposed Visitor Code of Conduct.
  • After review, the Board passed the Visitor Code of Conduct by a vote of 5-0.
  • With passage, dissemination of the approved code will begin, as outlined in policy.
As tonight's last business item and per Board Policy 1.200, the Board elected its officers for the upcoming year.
  • Melissa Woods was selected to continue her role as KCS Board President.
  • Brandon Fletcher was selected to continue his role as the KCS Board Vice-President.
The next session of the Board of Education will be a work session on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at 6 p.m.  The work session 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.
 
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), and check out our YouTube Channel (@kcs__district).