Public Meeting Minutes: August 3, 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 / Prayer

1.C. Pledge of allegiance to the flag

1.D. Opening

1.E. Art work on display

1.F. Update on North Side

Discussion:

Mr. Chad Moore introduced the new assistant principal, Ms. Leslie Snapp and expressed appreciation for the faculty and staff, noting their fierce dedication to leading the school and serving the community.
Mr. Moore noted the teachers lead their own data meetings, focusing on the "four critical questions" regarding standards, assessment, interventions, and extensions.
North Side showed significant improvement in DIBELS testing. After starting the previous year at 8th in the district, they reached the district average by the end of the year (85% district average).

2. RECOGNITIONS

Attachments: (1)

_Recognitions

Discussion: The following individuals and groups were recognized:

Science Hill Track Team and Coach Wes Jones
- Max Reece placed as state runner-up in the discus during the TSSAA State Track Meet in May. He also broke the 2013 school record with a 180-foot throw at the Trojan Timing Classic on April 24
- Caroline Hale, honored for breaking the 2006 school record in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 14.37 at sectionals on May 9.
- Members of the 4x200m Relay Team: Castle Baines, Emma Ray, and Kenzie Moore were recognized for breaking the school record at the state track meet with a time of just over 1:42 and achieving a state podium finish
Melony Surrett, named by the East Tennessee TETA (Tennessee Educational Technology Association) Member of the 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. 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.

4. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Discussion:

Mr. Chris Coraggio requested to address the Board and spoke for three minutes regarding Freedom Hall Pool.

5. REPORTS FROM SUPERINTENDENT AND STAFF

5.A. Building Projects Update

Attachments: (1)

Building Projects Update

Discussion:

Town Acres Site: The project is currently in the phase of concrete work, structural forms, and MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) rough-ins. Mechanical equipment is arriving and being installed
- Timeline: Progress is visible, and the team expects to begin work on the roof structure and the second floor by the end of August 2026
Related Work: The construction on Roseberry Road is a separate project managed by the board to support the school's stormwater needs and address existing neighborhood issues
Vestibule and Foyer Projects: The vestibule projects at Cherokee, North Side, Mountain View, and Market Street are complete. The foyer damage repair at Indian Trail is also finished
Central Office HVAC Status: A draft contract for the HVAC systems is currently under review by the legal department. If funding and legal reviews are successful, the project may be presented on the commission agenda later in August 2026
Implementation: The work will be scheduled to avoid intruding on students, likely utilizing school breaks (fall, winter, spring)
Other Maintenance: Mountain View & Market Street: Planning is underway for gutter replacement at Mountain View and roof replacement at Market Street.

5.B. Financial Report Ending May 31, 2026

Attachments: (1)

May 2026 Financial Report

Action(s):

Motion passed:

Motion to approve Financial Report Ending May 31, 2026 as submitted by Ms. Leia Valley. With a motion by Mrs. Paula Treece 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.C. Update on Sales Tax - PEP

Attachments: (3)

5.D. JCS Update

Discussion:

Dr. Erin Slater noted an excellent first day of school for the district. Principals and supervisors worked throughout the summer to interview for posted positions and finalize budgets, ensuring the district was prepared for the start of the school year.
Back-to-School Bash: Organized by Homeless Liaison, Lauren McGrew at Science Hill High School, the event was highly successful. Attendance significantly exceeded expectations, and the district successfully fulfilled the high demand for school supplies.
Innovation Academy: Led by Dr. Carter and the Instructional Technology Department, the academy hosted over 80 sessions with more than 300 attendees. The program offers professional development pathways for new teachers, administrators, and leadership, and has generated interest from other districts regarding the model of internal staff providing professional development

6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

7. CONSENT AGENDA

Action(s):

Motion passed:

Motion to approve. 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.

7.A. Approval of Minutes

Attachments: (2)

7.B. Proposed Fundraising Activities

Attachments: (1)

_PFAs_

7.C. Request to write checks over $5,000

Attachments: (1)

_CHECKS

7.D. Overnight Field Trip Requests

Attachments: (1)

SHHS OFT

7.E. Overnight Field Trip Requests Spreadsheet

Attachments: (1)

Overnight Field Trip Requests - Sheet

7.F. 2026-2027 Collaborative Conferencing Management Team Update

Attachments: (1)

_2026-2027 Collaborative Conferencing Management Team

7.G. 2026-2027 Disciplinary Hearing Board Update

Attachments: (1)

2026-2027 Disciplinary Hearing Board (1)

8. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT FOR ACTION

8.A. Request to approve policies on First & Second Reading

Attachments: (1)

Aug Policies

Discussion: While the board acknowledged the policy 5.600 changes were designed to protect students, members expressed concern that the policy's scope was too broad, potentially causing unintended consequences for younger volunteers, employees, and student-based learning.

Action(s):

Motion 1 passed:

Motion to approve the Policies on First & Second Reading , Mrs. Paula Treece pulled Policy 5.600. With a motion by Mr. Jonathan Kinnick and a second by Dr. Ginger Carter, 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

Motion 2 passed:

Motion to pass Policy 5.600 as written and submit a resolution to TSBA to lobby the legislature for clarification on the law's intent. 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. Request to purchase from Title II Funds the National Cohort training from Solution Tree

Attachments: (1)

Solution Tree

Action(s):

Motion passed:

Motion to approve. 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.

9. NEW BUSINESS

9.A. Consider City of Johnson City Resolution authorizing the use of PEP (Peoples Education Plan) funds under the related purpose clause for the repair of Freedom Hall Pool.

Attachments: (2)

Discussion:

Dr. Ginger Carter made a Motion to Amend the Motion to approve the use of $864,000 in PEP funds to match city contributions for the repair of the Freedom Hall pool with a contingency of a Maintenance Plan from the City of Johnson City for Freedom Hall Pool once the repairs are completed. With a second by Mrs. Paula Treece. After discussion with the Board, Dr. Ginger Carter withdrew her Amendment and Mrs. Paula also withdrew her second.
Board members agreed that the vote was driven by the need to prioritize student safety and provide a consistent training facility, noting that the current lack of available pools forces students to travel across the community for practice.

Action(s):

Motion 1 passed:

Motion to approve the use of $864,000 in PEP funds to match city contributions for the repair of the Freedom Hall pool. With a motion by Mr. Jonathan Kinnick and a second by Mr. Tom Hager, 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

Motion 2 passed:

Motion to request a Maintenance Plan from the City of Johnson City to be developed for Freedom Hall pool once the repairs are completed. In addition, a copy of the Maintenance Plan will be shared with the Board of Education. 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.

9.B. Legislative Update

Discussion:

Mrs. Paula Treece noted upcoming election dates:
Election Day: Thursday, August 4, 2026, is election day. Schools will be closed to serve as polling places.
- August 4 Election Details:
- General Election: Includes county offices (county mayor, clerk, register of deeds, trustee, sheriff, county school board), general sessions judge, and public defender.
- Primary Elections: Includes Tennessee Governor, U.S. Senate and House, Tennessee Senate and House, juvenile court judge, four Johnson City School Board seats, and state executive committee positions. Voters must request either a Republican or Democrat ballot for these primaries.
November Election: The general election for the August primary races will take place in November, along with the election for the Johnson City Commission (two open seats) and Jonesborough's mayor and aldermen.
- Voter Information:
- Johnson City residents may vote for both county and city offices, depending on their specific location.
- Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday.
- Sample ballots and voter registration information can be accessed via the Washington County Election Commission website.

9.C. Communications Update

Discussion:

First day of school
Recognitions
Resolution
National Recognition

10. INFORMATION ITEMS

10.A. BOE Calendar of Events

Attachments: (1)

BOECalendarOfEvents2026_2027

10.B. Personnel Items

Attachments: (1)

Aug Personnel Report

10.C. Donations

Attachments: (1)

Donations

11. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Attachments: (2)

12. BOARD UPDATES AND DISCUSSION

13. ADJOURNMENT

Discussion: 7:19 PM

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

August 3, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Johnson City Board of Education Regular Meeting

Web Viewer