The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, November 7, 2017. Several key items were discussed, including:
- A report on "Girl Power," a student empowerment club at Jackson Elementary;
- Recognition of a Dobyns-Bennett senior for receiving a statewide student achievement award from the Tennessee School Boards Association;
- Acceptance of the 2017-18 KCS Strategic Plan;
- Consideration and approval of one new Board policy and two policy revisions;
- Consideration and approval of a waiver regarding first-right-of-refusal on available space at the Kingsport Press Building; and
- Review of the KCS 1st Quarter Financial Report for FY 2017-18.
Tonight's reports and recognitions were broadcast live on the KCS Facebook Page! Click here to view the video from tonight's meeting.
CALL TO ORDER
The Pledge of Allegiance was led this evening by John Sevier Middle School students Emmett, Florence, Michael, and George Wissert. George is a 7th grader and Emmett, Florence, and Michael are 6th graders. They are the children of Robert and Laura Wissert.
BUSINESS ITEMS
Mr. Michael Hubbard, Director of Performance Excellence, reviewed the proposed 2017-18 KCS Strategic Plan with the Board for consideration and acceptance.
- The Strategic Plan is a compilation of work conducted throughout the 2016-17 year in an effort to systematize the plan's structure and better align initiatives throughout the district with the KCS Guiding Tenets.
- The Strategic Plan has four measurable long-term outcomes: 3rd grade reading, high school readiness, college readiness, and career readiness.
- Each outcome is related to one or more of the KCS district goals, as found in the Guiding Tenets. Each has multiple objectives set forth to ensure the outcomes are met in a timely manner.
- Each objective then has one or more strategic initiatives which include action steps to be achieved by the action team, objective owner, and objective sponsor.
Following a review, the Board accepted the 2017-18 KCS Strategic Plan by a vote of 5-0.
Board member Mr. Todd Golden and Assistant Superintendent - Administration Mr. Andy True reviewed one new and two existing policies for Board consideration.
- Policy 2.703 - Audits is a new policy to specify corrective action steps and requirements for LEAs with findings in their annual audits.
- Policy 3.202 - Emergency Preparedness Plans is an existing policy revised to comply with state law regarding safety and required annual drills.
- Policy 3.400 - Student Transportation Management is an existing policy revised to comply with state law regarding the basic duties of a transportation supervisor and processes for receiving and resolving to safety complaints.
After review and consideration, the Board voted 5-0 to approve all three policies on First Reading. The new policy (2.703) will now be considered on Second and Final Reading at the December Board meeting. All other policies in Section 2 - Fiscal Management of the KCS Policy Manual were affirmed with no changes on tonight's meeting's Consent Agenda as part of the Board's Policy review.
Mr. David Frye, Chief Financial Officer, reviewed information regarding an offer received by Cayenne Rental Properties to purchase approximately 4,260 square feet of space located on the 3rd floor of the Kingsport Press Building. The City of Kingsport/KCS, per the current lease agreement for D-B EXCEL, has first right of refusal for all unoccupied space on the 3rd floor of the building.
- The cost for purchasing this space would be $50 per square foot for a total of $213,000.
- After discussions with key stakeholders throughout KCS, administration is recommending to not exercise the option to purchase this particular space.
- The City of Kingsport/KCS maintains the first right of refusal for all other remaining space on the 3rd floor.
After review and consideration, the Board agreed to waive the right of first refusal for this 4,260 square feet of 3rd floor space at the Press Building by a vote of 5-0. In addition, by virtue of the vote, the Board authorized Dr. Dwain Arnold, Interim Superintendent of Schools, to sign the waiver on behalf of the district.
REPORTS
Mr. David Frye reviewed the 1st quarter financial report for FY 2017-18. At this point in the fiscal year, expenditures are roughly 21% of the budget, which is in line with estimates.
- It is anticipated that KCS will receive State BEP growth funds again this year since the 1st 20-day attendance report shows a 2.5% increase over last year.
- The KCS portion of current year property taxes from Sullivan and Hawkins counties is expected to be more than $2 million less than the original estimate, with BEP growth funds and a positive ADA adjustment to offset some of this shortfall. Movement from the Unreserved Funds Balance to KCS will likely also be required to offset the remainder of the shortfall.
- Receipts from sales taxes are 5.2% higher than during the 1st quarter of FY 2016-17.
- Fees collected from Early Childhood programs are more than $12,000 above last year, while fees collected from After-School programs have yielded a surplus of more than $13,000 after incurred expenses.
- The shortfall in Sullivan County property tax revenue, approved by the Sullivan County Commission earlier in the year, continues to be watched closely with future budget amendments expected to deal with the outcome. As a result of this shortfall, phone system upgrades and purchase of new teacher laptops remains "on hold."
The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 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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