Kingsport City Schools

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BOE Meeting Notes - August 11, 2026

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The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.  Several key items were discussed, including:
  • Recognition of KCS athletes representing Team Tennessee in the recent Special Olympics USA Games;
  • Approval to purchase Boxlight technology for various KCS schools;
  • Approval of a bid to install additional freezer space in the Robinson Middle School kitchen;
  • Approval of a bid for demolition and partial site development for the new elementary school being constructed in Lynn Garden;
  • Approval of the purchase of transportation for the Dobyns-Bennett High School Marching Band to participate in the 2026 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade; and 
  • Approval of a revised Board policy.
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Meeting Livestream and Audio
 
View the live stream of tonight's meeting on the KCS YouTube channel.
Detailed Meeting Notes

CALL TO ORDER

The Pledge of Allegiance was led this evening by Roosevelt Elementary School students Kameron and Kylie Sheppard.  Kameron is in the 1st grade and Kylie is in the 4th grade.

Recognitions

Board member Jamie Jackson recognized several KCS athletes representing Team Tennessee in the recent Special Olympics USA Games.
  • Anthony Walker, a KCS employee at Robinson Middle School, represented Tennessee in swimming. He won gold medals in the 500 yard medley, the 4x50 relay, and in the 100m butterfly, in which he set a new Special Olympics record.
  • The Interscholastic Track team was made up of four students from Dobyns-Bennett and four students from Valor Collegiate Academy in Nashville — two athletes and two partners from each school. The team took 4th place in the team competition. 
  • Event placements by KCS Unified Track athletes and partners were:
    • Hunter Baars: 3rd in the 4x100 and 5th in the 200m.
    • Emma Brickey: 5th in the long jump and first in the 200m.
    • Ellie Stokes: 1st in the long jump and first in the 100m.
    • Reid Riggins: 1st in shot put, 3rd in the 4x100, and 2nd in the 200m

business items

On tonight's Consent Agenda, the Board approved the following policy revisions on first reading:
  • 1.403 - Agendas
  • 4.213 - Family Education
  • 4.215 - Instructional Use of Digital Devices*
  • 5.302 - Sick Leave
  • 5.303 - Personal and Professional Leave
  • 6.306 - Interference/Disruption of School Activities
  • 6.4053 - Outside Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy*
*Proposed new policy. Will require an additional reading at the next Board meeting.
David Frye, Chief Finance Officer, presented a proposal to purchase boxlight technology for various KCS schools.
  • The proposal would provide for the purchase of 16 boxlights from Central Technologies Inc. for a total cost of $53,968 ($3,373 each), utilizing TIPS-USA Contract 240101.
  • The cost would include a stand, software, delivery, and set up.
  • The boxlights would be for the following schools:
    • Adams (5), Jackson (1), Kennedy (5), Lincoln (1), Robinson (3) and Sevier (1).
  • Funding for the purchase would come from the General Purpose School Technology budget.
  • After review, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the recommended purchase.
Mr. Frye presented a recommendation to approve a bid to install additional freezer space in the Robinson Middle School kitchen.
  • On August 5, 2026, bids were opened for the project. Two bids were received.
  • The low bidder was Mavin Construction LLC at a cost of $155,000.
  • The recommended action authorizes a 6% contingency of $9,300, for a total project cost of $175,300 (including an architect fee of $11,000).
  • Funds for the project have been identified in the School Nutrition Services budget.
  • After review, the Board voted 5-0 to award the bid to Mavin Construction LLC.
Mr. Frye presented a recommendation to approve a bid for demolition and partial site development for the new elementary school being constructed in Lynn Garden.
  • On July 29, 2026, bids were opened for the project. Five bids were received. 
  • The project consists of asbestos abatement and demolition of the Lynn View Community Center and the site development package for the area north of Walker Street.
  • The low bid opened was from Rezzar Demolition in the amount of $445,100.  Upon review, it was discovered that the submitted bit was only for the demolition of the existing building, not the complete project.  
  • Construction Partners submitted the next lowest bid in the amount of $2,780,000, which was for the complete project.
  • As proposed, the project would begin around September 1, 2026, and be completed by September 1, 2027.
  • The total cost of the project would be $3,215,500, including architect fee, construction costs, and a 6% contingency. Funding has been identified in the Lynn Garden Elementary School Project GP2507.
  • After review and discussion, the Board 5-0 to award the bid to Construction Partners. 
Mr. Frye presented a recommendation to approve the purchase of student transportation for the Dobyns-Bennett High School Marching Band to participate in the 2026 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
  • The Band Booster Club has entered into an agreement with Gateway Music Festivals & Tours, Inc. to provide a full package of lodging, entertainment, and transportation for the students, chauffeurs, and parents while in New York. Students and parents will each pay for their lodging and entertainment. Parents are also required to pay for their own transportation costs.
  • The recommendation was for the Board to approve entering into an agreement with Gateway Music Festivals & Tours for an amount not to exceed $95,659.80 to cover the student transportation portion of the agreement. Funds are available in the General Purpose School Fund for the trip.
  • After review, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the agreement and pay for the student transportation.
Dr. Andy True, Assistant Superintendent - Administration, presented one proposed policy revision for consideration.
  • 1.200 - Internal Organization
    • A revision regarding election of Board officers is recommended to align Kingsport Board of Education Policy with the City of Kingsport Charter.
  • After review by City of Kingsport Attorney Bart Rowlett and discussion, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the recommended policy revision.
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The next session of the Board of Education will be a work session on Tuesday, August 25, 2026 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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Kingsport City Schools (KCS) is a student-focused, world-class public school district located in Kingsport, Tennessee, proudly serving students across Sullivan and Hawkins counties. The district comprises 13 schools, including a Pre-K facility, eight elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, a high school program of choice, and an alternative learning program. With a total enrollment exceeding 7,600 students, KCS is dedicated to fostering educational excellence, empowering student success, and ensuring all students are college and career ready. To learn more, visit www.k12k.com, tune in to WCSK 90.3 FM, The Voice of KCS, or contact the KCS Administrative Support Center at (423) 378.2100. Stay connected by following us on Facebook (@kcsdistrict), Instagram (@kcs__district), and YouTube (@kcs__district). 
 
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