April 28, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Kingsport City Schools Board of Education Special Called Meeting

Description: 

Public Comment Guidelines:

This is the time when members of the audience are invited to comment on items listed on the agenda and matters that are germane to the school board's jurisdiction. If an individual wishes to address the Board, he/she shall sign up on the form provided before the beginning of the Board meeting to request time to speak. 

The Board President shall have the authority to terminate the remarks of any individual who violates state law or does not adhere to Board rules.

Each speaker's remarks shall be limited to three (3) minutes, with the public comment period lasting no more than thirty (30) minutes in total, unless the Board waives the limit(s) upon considering a request for extension made prior to the President's announcement for public input. All comments become a matter of public record. Comments regarding system personnel or personnel matters are not germane during public input. Speakers may not refer to students by name without permission from the 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. Andy True, Assistant Superintendent - Administration, Andy Arnold, Chief Technology Officer, Jim Nash, Chief Student Services Officer, Marybeth Kench, Communications Coordinator, and Matthew Smith, Coordinator of Attendance, will present a recommendation to purchase and implement ParentSquare as Kingsport City Schools district-wide communications portal. This will bring school, district, and classroom communication into one unified platform. ParentSquare will replace the district's current mass communications provider, addressing four identified priorities: implementing a unified communication pathway in communicating with families, students, etc.; establishing a secure school/staff-to-parent/student communication method; providing translation of messages to preferred languages; and supporting student attendance efforts and communication.

The proposed agreement with ParentSquare would cover four phases,  the implementation process (May-June 2026) and three school years (2026-2027, 2027-2028, 2028-2029).

The implementation cost is $6,000.00. The total cost of the agreement is $192,816.00 and will be paid from the General Purpose School Fund.