The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education held a work session on Tuesday, July 18, 2017. Several key items were discussed, including:
- An informational presentation on solar power;
- A presentation by several KCS administrators regarding their recent trip to China through the Chinese Bridge Program.
Detailed Work Session Notes
Mr. David Hrivnak, a retired Eastman engineer, provided information to the Board regarding solar power. KCS is considering the extent that solar power can be utilized to reduce energy costs and usage.
- Drawing on first-hand knowledge, Mr. Hrivnak shared information about how solar power works, the potential savings that can be incurred, and his practical experience regarding the technology.
- Mr. Hrivnak uses solar panels on his house and to charge two electric cars. He works with Holy Trinity Lutheran Church to facilitate savings there using solar electricity.
- Though still trailing many countries across the globe, the generation of electricity using solar power is skyrocketing in the United States.
- Currently, India and China have the world's largest solar plants.
- D-B has utilized a 5KW system since May 2010 and has produced 24,265 KWh of power with zero maintenance.
- KCS administration and the Board are continuing to explore the usage of solar power to best utilize system funding and resources necessary for power.
KCS administrators who traveled to China this summer through the Chinese Bridge Program for U.S. Administrators shared information regarding their trip, which was sponsored by the Chinese Language Council (Hanban) and the Confucius Institute at Middle Tennessee State University.
- The group visited a variety of schools, including the Confucius Institute, Hangzhou Normal University, an elementary school, and a secondary campus to learn about the education system in China.
- Highlights of the trip also included visits to the cities of Beijing and Shanghai.
- Other sites visited included the Summer Palace, Great Wall of China, Olympic Park, Tienanmen Square, Imperial Palace, Forbidden City, West Lake, Confucius Temple, Buddha Temple, and Pearl Tower.
To close tonight's work session, the Board recognized and thanked Dr. Lyle Ailshie for his service as KCS Superintendent.
- Following 5+ years as KCS Superintendent, tonight's work session marked the final Board meeting before Dr. Ailshie leaves his post to assume his new role as Deputy Commissioner with the Tennessee Department of Education.
The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at 6 p.m. 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 WeAreKCS.com.
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