Public Meeting Minutes: June 1, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Johnson City Board of Education Regular Meeting

1. CALL TO ORDER AND OPENING

Attachments: (1)

JCS Beliefs, Mission, Vision, & Goals

1.A. Call to Order and Welcome

1.B. Moment of Silence

1.C. Pledge of allegiance to the flag

1.D. Opening

1.E. Artwork on display

1.F. Update on LBMS

Discussion:

Student representative, Abhay Vashist, spoke about the wonders of Liberty Bell. The mission at Liberty Bell is to teach students to learn, believe, mentor others, and to find success in their lives. The teachers, counselors, principals and staff all encourage students to do their best. Over forty-eight percent of the students are involved in fine arts programs such as band, orchestra, theater, and chorus. Furthermore, Liberty Bell has a variety of clubs, activities and sports.
Liberty Bell is one of the highest ranked schools in Tennessee, having earned a level five TVAS rating. They often have the highest TCAP scores in Tennessee.

2. RECOGNITIONS

Attachments: (1)

Recognitions June 2026 06-01-26

Discussion:

The following students from Lake Ridge placed first and second at ETSU’s Science Fair: Malachi Eads finished first place in 4th grade Physical Science.
Mason Montagnari finished second place in 5th grade Biological Science.
Rihan Bhattacharya (Towne Acres) was a grand prize winner in ETSU’s Science Fair. Rihan was the grand prize winner in 5th grade Biological Science.
Science Hill senior Allie O’Neal scored a perfect 36 on her ACT.
Science Hill senior Majaka Fofana is featured in the DePaul Blue Book, which is an annual collection of Best American High School Writing.
Cherokee’s Anna Adams was honored by the ETSU Clemmer College of Education for being Outstanding Mentor Teacher Award for Early Childhood Education.
North Side’s Cody Patterson was honored by the ETSU Clemmer College of Education for being an Outstanding Mentor Teacher Award for Physical Education.
Several students were selected as winners for the 2025-2026 Reflections TN PTA.
The Board also recognized Akshay Vashist for serving as the senior student representative on the School Board this school year.

3. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

Recommended Motion(s): Motion to adopt the agenda. With a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2, the motion passed.

Action(s):

Motion passed:

Motion to adopt the agenda. With a motion by Mr. Jonathan Kinnick and a second by Mrs. Kathy Hall, the motion passed.

Dr. Ginger Carter: YES
Mr. Tom Hager: YES
Mrs. Kathy Hall: YES
Mr. Jonathan Kinnick: YES
Mrs. Celia Martin: YES
Mr. Rick Smith: YES
Mrs. Paula Treece: YES

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

4. PUBLIC COMMENTS

5. REPORTS FROM SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF

5.A. Building Projects Update

Attachments: (1)

Building Projects Update

Discussion:

Building Projects Update as presented by Mr. Brian Ross, City of Johnson City.
Towne Acres Elementary — New school building and site improvements; Demolish existing school building
- In Progress: Footings; Underground utilities; Masonry walls; Door frames
- Upcoming: Continue all of the above; Concrete slabs; Additional paving; Second level floor structure
- Projected Phase 1 Completion (New school): Jun 2027
- Projected Phase 2 Completion (Demolition & Site improvements): Dec 2027
Secure Vestibule Improvements — Cherokee, North Side, & Mountain View Elementary Schools
- Substantially complete as of 2/27/26
- Punch list corrections in progress
Secure Vestibule Improvements — Market Street School
- All work is claimed to be substantially complete.
- Substantial completion inspection will occur pending final city/state inspections, reported to be happening this week.
ITMS Foyer Repair — Replace brick, doors, and windows damaged by vehicle accident
- Contractor panning to mobilize 5/26
- Work to begin pending delivery of all materials that are in order

5.B. Financial Report Ending April 30, 2026

Attachments: (1)

April 2026 Finance Report

Action(s):

Motion passed:

Motion to approve the Financial Report Ending April 30, 2026 as submitted by Ms. Leia Valley. With a motion by Mr. Jonathan Kinnick and a second by Mrs. Paula Treece, the motion passed.

Dr. Ginger Carter: YES
Mr. Tom Hager: YES
Mrs. Kathy Hall: YES
Mr. Jonathan Kinnick: YES
Mrs. Celia Martin: YES
Mr. Rick Smith: YES
Mrs. Paula Treece: YES

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

5.C. Update on Sales Tax - PEP

Attachments: (1)

April 2026 PEP Sales Tax Report

5.D. 2025-2026 Encumbrances

Attachments: (1)

2025-2026 Encumbrances

Action(s):

Motion passed:

Motion to approve the 2025-2026 Encumbrances as submitted by Ms. Leia Valley. With a motion by Mr. Jonathan Kinnick and a second by Mrs. Kathy Hall, the motion passed.

Dr. Ginger Carter: YES
Mr. Tom Hager: YES
Mrs. Kathy Hall: YES
Mr. Jonathan Kinnick: YES
Mrs. Celia Martin: YES
Mr. Rick Smith: YES
Mrs. Paula Treece: YES

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

5.E. Internal Activity Funds, Site-Based Funds, and Educare/ECLC Budgets for 2026-2027

Attachments: (1)

Internal Activity Funds, Site-Based Funds, and Educare ECLC Budgets for 2026-2027

Action(s):

Motion passed:

Motion to approve the Internal Activity Funds, Site-Based Funds, and Educare/ECLC Budgets for 2026-2027 as submitted by Ms. Leia Valley. With a motion by Mr. Jonathan Kinnick and a second by Mrs. Paula Treece, the motion passed.

Dr. Ginger Carter: YES
Mr. Tom Hager: YES
Mrs. Kathy Hall: YES
Mr. Jonathan Kinnick: YES
Mrs. Celia Martin: YES
Mr. Rick Smith: YES
Mrs. Paula Treece: YES

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

5.F. 2025-2026 Budget Amendment #2

Attachments: (1)

2025-2026 Budget Amendment #2

Action(s):

Motion passed:

Motion to approve the 2025-2026 Budget Amendment #2 as submitted by Ms. Leia Valley. With a motion by Mr. Jonathan Kinnick and a second by Mrs. Paula Treece, the motion passed.

Dr. Ginger Carter: YES
Mr. Tom Hager: YES
Mrs. Kathy Hall: YES
Mr. Jonathan Kinnick: YES
Mrs. Celia Martin: YES
Mr. Rick Smith: YES
Mrs. Paula Treece: YES

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

5.G. JCS Update

Discussion:

Dr. Slater shared her appreciation to teachers, staff, students, community members and board members for an excellent 2025-2026 SY.

6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

7. CONSENT AGENDA

Action(s):

Motion passed:

Motion to approve the Consent Agenda, Dr. Ginger Carter pulled #7 C, #7 D & #7 G. With a motion by Dr. Ginger Carter and a second by Mr. Jonathan Kinnick, the motion passed.

Dr. Ginger Carter: YES
Mr. Tom Hager: YES
Mrs. Kathy Hall: YES
Mr. Jonathan Kinnick: YES
Mrs. Celia Martin: YES
Mr. Rick Smith: YES
Mrs. Paula Treece: YES

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

7.A. Approval of Minutes

Attachments: (1)

Johnson City Board of Education Regular Meeting - 5 4 2026

7.B. Proposed Fundraising Activities

Attachments: (1)

_PFAs

7.C. Overnight Field Trip Requests

Attachments: (1)

OFT

Action(s):

Motion passed:

Dr. Ginger Carter noted the days missed with combined Overnight Field Trip Requests. Dr. Slater clarified that tournament travel is usually limited to two or three days per season. Some students will only miss 4th period. With a motion by Dr. Ginger Carter and a second by Mrs. Paula Treece, the motion passed.

Dr. Ginger Carter: YES
Mr. Tom Hager: YES
Mrs. Kathy Hall: YES
Mr. Jonathan Kinnick: YES
Mrs. Celia Martin: YES
Mr. Rick Smith: YES
Mrs. Paula Treece: YES

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

7.D. Overnight Field Trip Requests Spreadsheet

Attachments: (1)

Overnight Field Trip Requests - Spreadsheet

Action(s):

Motion passed:

Motion to approve #7 C. Overnight Field Trip Requests Spreadsheet. Dr. Slater discussed the Spreadsheet. Going forward both the Overnight Field Trip Forms & Spreadsheet will be provided for Board Approval. With a motion by Dr. Ginger Carter and a second by Mrs. Paula Treece, the motion passed.

Dr. Ginger Carter: YES
Mr. Tom Hager: YES
Mrs. Kathy Hall: YES
Mr. Jonathan Kinnick: YES
Mrs. Celia Martin: YES
Mr. Rick Smith: YES
Mrs. Paula Treece: YES

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

7.E. Requests to write checks over $5,000

Attachments: (1)

CHECKS

7.F. Request to purchase a Freezer

Attachments: (1)

Request to Purchase a Freezer

7.G. Request to approve Job Description

Attachments: (1)

Job Description

Action(s):

Motion passed:

Dr. Ginger Carter made a motion to approve the # 7 G. Job Description with a Master's Degree / Administrative Endorsement preferred and Bachelor's Degree required. With a motion by Dr. Ginger Carter and a second by Mrs. Kathy Hall, the motion passed.

Dr. Ginger Carter: YES
Mr. Tom Hager: YES
Mrs. Kathy Hall: YES
Mr. Jonathan Kinnick: YES
Mrs. Celia Martin: YES
Mr. Rick Smith: YES
Mrs. Paula Treece: YES

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

7.H. Classified Personal Days

Attachments: (1)

Classified Staff Personal Day Policy

8. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT FOR ACTION

8.A. Recommendation Regarding Disciplinary Hearing Board for the 2026-2027 SY

Attachments: (1)

2026-2027 Disciplinary Hearing Board

Action(s):

Motion passed:

Motion to approve the Recommendation Regarding Disciplinary Hearing Board for the 2026-2027 SY. With a motion by Mrs. Kathy Hall and a second by Mrs. Paula Treece, the motion passed.

Dr. Ginger Carter: YES
Mr. Tom Hager: YES
Mrs. Kathy Hall: YES
Mr. Jonathan Kinnick: YES
Mrs. Celia Martin: YES
Mr. Rick Smith: YES
Mrs. Paula Treece: YES

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

8.B. Recommendation Regarding Collaborative Conferencing Management Team for the 2026-2027 SY

Attachments: (1)

_2026-2027 Collaborative Conferencing Management Team

Action(s):

Motion passed:

Motion to approve the Recommendation Regarding Collaborative Conferencing Management Team for the 2026-2027 SY. With a motion by Mr. Jonathan Kinnick and a second by Mrs. Celia Martin, the motion passed.

Dr. Ginger Carter: YES
Mr. Tom Hager: YES
Mrs. Kathy Hall: YES
Mr. Jonathan Kinnick: YES
Mrs. Celia Martin: YES
Mr. Rick Smith: YES
Mrs. Paula Treece: YES

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

9. NEW BUSINESS

9.A. July Board Meeting

Discussion:

Ms. Leia Valley noted that staff would look at the final TISA numbers the first week of July.

Action(s):

Motion passed:

Motion to approve not to have the July Meeting unless needed. With a motion by Mr. Tom Hager and a second by Mrs. Paula Treece, the motion passed.

Dr. Ginger Carter: YES
Mr. Tom Hager: YES
Mrs. Kathy Hall: YES
Mr. Jonathan Kinnick: YES
Mrs. Celia Martin: YES
Mr. Rick Smith: YES
Mrs. Paula Treece: YES

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

9.B. Proposed BOE Calendar of Events & Annual Agenda 2026-2027 SY

Attachments: (2)

Discussion:

The Board and Dr. Slater discussed the first day of school and gave the principals a pass for attending the August BOE Meeting.
Mr. Jonathan Kinnick made a motion for the September BOE Meeting to be scheduled on Thursday, September 10. No second, Motion failed.

9.C. Legislative Update

Discussion:

Ms. Paula Treece discussed the current legislative session for Tennessee:
- Senate Bill twenty two, forty seven or House Bill twenty five thirty two
- Went into effect on May seventh, and it requires the Department of Education to allocate additional funds to an LEA for the twenty seven, twenty eight and twenty eight, twenty nine school years. If an LEA's TISA allocation for the current school year is less than the TISA allocation based on losing students to vouchers. Thus, it requires the DOE to annually report to the education committee of the senate and of the committee of the House of Representatives, having jurisdiction over K twelve education. The number of eligible students who applied for a scholarship, disaggregated by the number of applications received from each county. The number of eligible students who, at the time of submitting a completed scholarship application, were enrolled in a public school. The number of eligible students who, at the time of submitting a completed scholarship application.
Mr. Rick Smith noted that the Tennessee Religious Freedom Act will go into effect July first, which will allow school boards to open a meeting with a non-denominational prayer. No decision has been made by this board at this time.

9.D. Communications Update

Discussion:

Mr. Rick Smith recognized Mr. Greg Huddlestone, Board Member of Washington County, for attending the JCS BOE Meeting.
Mr. Rick Smith also recognized Mrs. Smith, a retired teacher from Georgia, for attending the JCS BOE Meeting.
In addition, the Board passed the Budget 2026-2027 SY, which included a raise for staff and teachers.

10. INFORMATION ITEMS

10.A. BOE Calendar of Events

Attachments: (1)

BOECalendarOfEvents 2026

10.B. Personnel Items

Attachments: (1)

Personnel Items

10.C. Donations

Attachments: (1)

_DONATIONS

11. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Attachments: (2)

12. BOARD UPDATES AND DISCUSSION

13. ADJOURNMENT

Discussion: 7:01 PM

Recommended Motion(s): Motion to Adjourn. With a motion by Board Member #1 and a second by Board Member #2, the motion passed.

June 1, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Johnson City Board of Education Regular Meeting

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