The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Several key items were discussed, including:
- Recognition of two Dobyns-Bennett High School students for advancing to the finalist level of the National Merit Scholarship Program;
- Approval of a recommendation to purchase student technology devices and licenses;
- Approval of an amendment to the 2024-25 KCS Budget; and
- Approval of a resolution affirming the intent of KCS to participate in the Education Freedom Act of 2025 related to bonuses for teachers.
Meeting Livestream and Audio
Recognitions
Board member Dr. Phillip Marshall recognized two Dobyns-Bennett seniors for advancing to the finalist level of the National Merit Scholarship Program.
- The students named as National Merit Scholarship Finalists are Liam Klug and Claire Li.
- The program is designed to identify and honor the top high school students in the United States.
- Liam and Claire will compete with the top high school students in the nation for 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $26 million.
business items
Andy Arnold, Chief Technology Officer, and David Frye, Chief Finance Officer, presented a recommendation to the Board to purchase 1,300 Dell Chromebook and Google Chrome licenses for KCS students in grades 7 & 9.
- The proposed purchase would be with Dell Marketing L.P. using the Wilson County Schools Cooperative Purchasing Agreement, with funding from School General Purpose Funds.
- The Dell Chromebook 312s are $275.62 each and the Google Chrome licenses are $32.07 each, for a total cost of $399,997.00.
- After review, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the purchase of the devices and licenses.
Mr. Frye presented Budget Amendment #4 to the 2024-25 KCS Budget for review and approval.
- The proposed Budget Amendment included items related to:
- Transfer of technology funds.
- Funding to purchase playground equipment at Jefferson Elementary School.
- Maintenance costs related to requirements of the City's building insurance carrier for the former Sullivan North High School.
- A Fund Balance appropriation was proposed to provide funding for:
- Replacement and refinishing of gym floors at Robinson Middle School.
- Improvements to parking lots at the Palmer Center and Jackson Elementary School.
- Architecture services for the replacement of the HVAC system at Washington.
- After review, the Budget Amendment was passed by a vote of 5-0.
Dr. Andy True, Assistant Superintendent - Administration, presented a resolution to the Board related to affirming KCS participation in the Education Freedom Act of 2025 relative to bonuses for teachers.
- Per Section Four of the recently passed law, local Boards of Education are required to affirm intention to participate via a resolution in order to receive state funds to issue these bonuses.
- The bill provides one-time bonuses of no less than $2,000 to public school teachers in Tennessee.
- Though affirming participation in the teacher bonus portion of the Act, tonight's proposed resolution also reiterates the Board's continued unanimous opposition to the overall bill and voucher legislation.
- After review, the Board approved the resolution by a vote of 5-0.
*KCS continues to await final state-level details and guidance regarding the timing, scope, and methodology to be used in providing the bonus. This information will be communicated to KCS staff just as soon as it is available.
The next session of the Board of Education will be a meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 6 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Tennessee Room of the Administrative Support Center (400 Clinchfield Street).
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