Jeremy Epling

The meeting was held to record and review base bids and alternate bids submitted by multiple construction companies for the Dobyns-Bennett High School Renovations Phase I project. The bids covered various scopes of work including demolition, new construction, administrative area renovations, building connector fire shutter replacements, drinking fountain removals, wall clock and directional signage replacements, room signage updates, painting, casework laminate countertop upgrades, and IT wiring installations.

The board meeting focused on student recognitions, including Middle College Academy graduates and students receiving post-secondary technical certificates in fields like welding, HVAC, entrepreneurship, and emergency medical services. Student participants shared their experiences from the Tennessee School Boards Association Student Congress on Policies in Education (SCOPE) conference, where they debated topics such as educational funding, extracurricular participation mandates, and physical education credit substitutions. Additionally, the meeting included the presentation of an educator award to a chemistry and STEM teacher for her leadership in project-based learning and robotics.

This document serves as an addendum to the Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan for Kingsport City Schools. It details the ongoing requirement for Local Education Agencies to update their plans every six months, incorporating public feedback until September 30, 2023. Key strategic areas include health and safety protocols such as accommodations for children with disabilities, physical distancing, hand hygiene, facility cleaning and ventilation, contact tracing, diagnostic testing, efforts to provide vaccines, and mask usage policies. The plan also ensures the continuity of vital services, including academic support, social-emotional and mental health services, and food programs for students and staff.

This document outlines the Micro-credential Pilot program, which aims to ensure districts and schools in Tennessee exemplify excellence and equity, equipping all students with the knowledge and skills for their chosen path. It defines micro-credentials as competency-based recognition for educators, details their characteristics, and raises key questions regarding their impact on teaching quality and student performance at a system level. The document also presents statistics on pilot participants and a timeline of the pilot's activities.

This document serves as an update to the ESSER 3.0 Public Plan for Kingsport City Schools (KCS). It outlines the strategic allocation of remaining ESSER funds across academic achievement, student readiness, educator support, and foundational infrastructure. The plan aims to accelerate student performance, provide essential student support services, ensure effective recruitment and retention of staff, and maintain modern learning environments, all while ensuring financial transparency and strong community engagement.