Tammy Wolfe

The Board of Education meeting included the recognition of student accomplishments in tennis and the introduction of special guests. Key discussion items focused on budget amendments, specifically the allocation of state growth funds and additional revenue for transportation software. The Board also addressed capital projects, including the Ling Garden community project and renovations at Dobbins Bennett, approving funds for various construction, site work, and safety improvements, such as replacing fire shutters with fire-rated glass doors.

The board meeting included several student recognitions, such as the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network design challenge winners and state champion athletes from track and field. Business items included the approval for the purchase of student transportation software from Tyler Technologies to assist with routing and mapping. Additionally, the board approved the first budget amendment for the upcoming fiscal year, which provides for an increase in the pay grade for custodial staff to improve competitiveness with surrounding school systems.

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.