June 10, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Kingsport City Schools Board of Education Regular Meeting

Description:  Kennedy Elementary School student Clara Robbins will lead the Board of Education and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Clara is a rising 2nd grader. 

Description:  Mrs. Melissa Woods, Board President, will ask for a motion to accept the agenda, which includes the consent agenda. Once the agenda is accepted, the Board mutually agrees not to discuss any item of business or take any action that has not been accepted for the agenda.

Description:  Mr. Golden will recognize D-B EXCEL seniors Lacey Brotherton and Lilianna Mangipinto who were named the 2025 Tennessee STEM Innovation Network 2025 Statewide Design Challenge High School level winners for their project, "Mental Health: Better Life".

Students from Ms. Antonia Adinolfi's STEM classes participated in the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network (TSIN) Statewide Design Challenge this year. The students pitched their ideas to a panel of judges/experts in March. The top four teams advanced to the regional competition for a chance to pitch their idea at the state-level competition in April. Ms. Antonia Adinolfi, DBE Science & Career & Technical Education teacher, oversees the design challenge each year. 

In 2010, the Tennessee Department of Education partnered with Battelle Education to launch the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network. Focusing on "kindergarten to jobs," the Network is developing high-quality STEM programming to further ensure Tennessee students are prepared for success in college and career and ready for the future of their choosing. The Network utilizes Regional STEM Innovation Hubs and STEM Designated Schools located across Tennessee to increase student interest and participation in STEM fields. 

Description:  Dr. Fletcher will recognize two members of the Dobyns-Bennett High School Wrestling Team for winning state individual championships. Mason Jakob won his third state individual championship and finished the season with a 40-2 record. Noah Watkins won his first state individual championship and finished the season with a 38-4 record. The D-B wrestling team is coached by head coach Wes Idlette and assistant coaches Jake Mullins and PJ Ryan.

Description: 

Public Comment Guidelines:

This is the time when members of the audience are invited to comment on agenda items. If pre-approved by the Board Executive Committee, members of the community may also address the Board regarding non-agenda items. In order to speak on a topic not included on the agenda, per Board Policy 1.404, you must submit a written request to the Superintendent of Schools at least three (3) business days before the regular meeting.  

This is not the time to speak about personnel issues, as there are more appropriate ways in which these can be addressed. If you are not sure how to do this, please ask a Board member after the meeting. In your remarks, you may not refer to students by name without permission from a parent or guardian.

Speakers are requested to first state your name and limit your remarks to a maximum of three (3) minutes.

Thank you. 

Description: 

Dr. Rhonda Stringham, Director of Federal Programs, has provided a memo and the Consolidated Application for Federal Programs for the 2025-2026 school year. The application is considered a preliminary document subject to change within the next few weeks.  

Board approval of the application is recommended, with the stipulation that Superintendent Dr. Hampton should be authorized to make any necessary minor changes to the application without seeking further Board approval.

Description:   Mrs. Jennifer Guthrie, Chief Human Resources Officer, has submitted the 2025-2026 Differentiated Pay Plan for Board approval. This document describes teacher compensation-related proposals being considered for the 2025-2026 school year.

Description:  The Employee Benefits Committee recommends revising the current requirement for ten years of service with Kingsport City Schools to five years of service required to qualify for any KCS subsidy for post-retirement benefits. This would apply to all active KCS employees who would be otherwise eligible for post-retirement benefits.

Description:  The Disposal of Surplus Equipment memo and listing of surplus property is attached for your review. It is recommended the Board declare the property surplus and transfer it to the custody of the city recorder.

Description:  Mr. David Frye, Chief Finance Officer, has submitted a recommendation to renew the Mastery Connect and Item Bank subscriptions with Instructure, Inc. for the 2025-2026 school year in an amount not to exceed $95,004.00. Funding will be from the Schools 2026 GP account.

Description:  Canvas is a software platform that assists educators in managing and organizing their online courses, as well as facilitates online learning and communication between students and teachers. It is recommended that Canvas be renewed for two more school years at a cost of $149,617.07.  Funding will be from the Schools General Purpose C & I budget.

Description:  In 2002, the City of Kingsport entered into an agreement with the State of Tennessee Department of Environmental and Conservation (TDEC) to locate an air monitoring station at its current location on D Street, which is next to a parking lot across the street from Jefferson Elementary School. TDEC is requesting a no-cost extension of the license for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2030. Extending the license agreement authorizes TDEC's access to the property for the sole purpose of maintaining and operating the air monitoring station. 

Description:  Dr. Andy True, Assistant Superintendent - Administration, will present proposed revisions to the Kingsport City Schools Random Drug Testing Regulations and Procedures for the 2025-2026 school year for Board consideration on first reading. This policy pertains to the random drug testing of high school students participating in extracurricular school activities.

Description:  Mr. Frye will present the amended FY 2025-2026 Kingsport City Schools Budget for approval. The attachment is the same as what was presented at the May Board meeting. Slides 16,17, and 18 have been updated.