The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, November 1, 2016. Several key items were discussed, including:
- A report on the partnership between Kingsport City Schools and the Kingsport Police Department;
- Recognition of the Kingsport Police Department on "KCS Backs the Blue" Day for their ongoing, valuable support of KCS;
- Review of a letter of intent regarding future facilities and programming goals;
- Review and consideration of two revised and two new KCS Board policies;
- Consideration of a bid for furniture purchases for D-B EXCEL;
- Review of an audit report for FY 2015-16 regarding School Activity Funds;
- Review of the 1st quarter financial report for FY 2016-17.
CALL TO ORDER
The Pledge of Allegiance was led tonight by Marcus Spriggs, an 8th grader at Sevier Middle School. Marcus is the son of Robert and Rhetta Spriggs and serves as the Sevier Middle School Student Council President.
PARENT INTEREST REPORT
Sevier Middle School Principal Dr. Holly Flora gave a report on the KPD School Resource Officer (SRO) Program.
- The SRO program is a joint partnership between Kingsport City Schools and the Kingsport Police Department (KPD) designed to provide professional, high quality policing and to better ensure the safety and security of students, staff, and visitors of John Sevier Middle School, Ross N. Robinson Middle School, Dobyns-Bennett High School, and D-B EXCEL at Cora Cox Academy, while also fostering educational programs and activities.
- Four police officers are assigned by KPD to serve in SRO positions at KCS secondary schools. In addition, other officers have a daily presence in all KCS elementary schools by conducting walkthroughs, providing situational support, and leading school table-top exercises.
- SRO program goals include helping to maintain safe and secure campus environments, establishing a liaison in a cooperative effort to prevent juvenile delinquency, fostering educational programs and activities that will increase student knowledge of and respect for the law, reducing the potential for criminal offenses committed against persons and property, and helping develop positive and constructive relationships in the schools and Kingsport community.
RECOGNITIONS
Board President Mr. Eric Hyche thanked the Kingsport Police Department for exemplary service provided to KCS on an ongoing basis and declared November 1, 2016 as "KCS Backs the Blue Day."
- A formal resolution passed this evening by the Board was presented to KPD Chief David Quillin to commemorate the event.
- As a visible show of support for the KPD, all students, faculty and staff of KCS were encouraged to wear blue on November 1.
- Other activities associated with Back the Blue Day included a hot breakfast provided by KCS for KPD officers and support staff, a variety of activities and appreciations at all KCS schools, and day-long social media promotions.
BUSINESS ITEMS
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lyle Ailshie presented a Letter of Intent for Board consideration regarding the collaboration to transform education in Sullivan County.
- A parallel study of facilities by Kingsport City Schools and Sullivan County Schools began in 2014, with a goal to recommend the most effective utilization of facilities to benefit all students in Sullivan County.
- The purpose of this letter is to set out the intent and general course of action regarding how Kingsport City Schools and Sullivan County Schools expect to use available resources for current and future school programming.
- After full review and consideration, the Letter of Intent was approved by a vote of 5-0.
Mr. Andy True, Assistant Superintendent - Administration, reviewed four policies with the Board for consideration on First Reading.
- Policy 1.108 Nepotism is an existing policy with revisions made to reflect specific definitions of "family member" as it relates to hiring practices.
- Policy 1.400 School Board Meetings is an existing policy with revisions made to support the Board in conducting efficient meetings while ensuring access to the public.
- Upon review and consideration, both revised policies were approved on First Reading by a vote of 5-0. Since these were revisions of existing policies, they will go into effect immediately.
- Policy 4.502 Parental and Family Involvement is a new policy to meet the requirement that local Boards adopt a policy that encourages parents to be involved in the education of their children.
- Policy 4.802 Student Equal Access (Limited Public Forum) is a new policy to address the requirement that Boards and LEAs ensure no student is discriminated against relative to voluntary expressions of religious viewpoints and that limited public forums are provided for student speakers at school events.
- Upon review and consideration, both new policies were approved on First Reading by a vote of 5-0.
- These new policies will require approval on Second Reading at the December 1, 2016 regular monthly Board meeting.
Mr. David Frye, Chief Finance Officer, reviewed for Board consideration the proposed furniture purchase for D-B EXCEL from Workspace Interiors.
- Funding for the first phase of furniture purchases was approved at a Called Meeting of the Board on October 18, 2016. That phase included large items that had to be installed prior to completion of the construction.
- This second phase of purchases utilizes pricing contracted between Workspace Interiors and the "National Joint Powers Alliance."
- This phase also includes an Active Learning Pilot Classroom agreement with Workspace Interiors and Steelcase that will provide professional development, on-site visits to the facility, and a student/instructor post-occupancy evaluation survey. By entering into this agreement, KCS will receive discounted NJPA pricing in the amount of $74,663.80.
- The amount budgeted for these furniture purchases was $200,000. Other funds budgeted for capital purchases will be used to cover the additional costs.
- A motion was made and seconded to approve the Active Learning Pilot agreement awarding the purchase of furnishings for the new D-B EXCEL facility in the amount of $74,633.80. The Board approved purchase of the remaining furniture by a vote of 5-0.
Mr. David Frye reviewed audit results of the financial statements for the School Activity Funds for the fiscal year which ended on June 30, 2015.
- This annual review, required by law, indicated KCS is in sound financial shape overall, with a few accounting discrepancies noted and corrected at the school level.
- The full audit report, a summary of audit findings, and a summary of issues addressed were included in Mr. Frye's report to the Board.
Mr. Frye presented the financial update for the 1st quarter of FY 2016-17.
- Expenditures for the 1st quarter were approximately 21% of the budget, in line with expectations.
- State BEP funds received in early July were nearly $28 million, $47,000 less than received in July of 2015. A recommendation to adjust budgeted estimated BEP funds may follow at a later date.
- Discretionary funds for new teachers have been used and two additional teachers hired due to enrollment. A budget amendment to address this will be presented at a future Board meeting.
- Costs associated with health insurance continue to be monitored.
The next meeting of the Board of Education will be a Work Session on Tuesday, November 15, 2016. The meeting will take place in the Tennessee Room of the Administrative Support Center (400 Clinchfield Street).
Read and follow our blog, "We Are KCS" to learn more about the great people and programs of Kingsport City Schools. Check it out at www.WeAreKCS.com.
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