June 11, 2024 at 6:00 PM - Kingsport City Schools Board of Education Regular Meeting
Minutes | ||
---|---|---|
1. CALL TO ORDER
Discussion:
Mrs. Melissa Woods, Board President, called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
|
||
1.1. Pledge of Allegiance
Speaker(s):
(Belinda and Daisy Tenangueno)
Discussion:
Roosevelt Elementary School students Belinda and Daisy Tenangueno led the Board of Education and the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
|
||
1.2. Additions to and/or Acceptance of the Agenda
Speaker(s):
(Mrs. Melissa Woods)
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
|
||
2. RECOGNITIONS
|
||
2.1. Charlotte Ensminger, State of Tennessee Civics Bee Winner
Speaker(s):
(Mrs. Julie Byers)
Discussion:
Mrs. Byers recognized Charlotte Ensminger, former 8th grader at Robinson Middle School and rising 9th grader at Dobyns-Bennett High School, for being named the winner in the National Civics Bee Tennessee State Finals competition held in Nashville on May 3, 2024. State champions are invited to Washington, D.C. to compete in the inaugural National Civics Bee national championship on November 12, 2024.
|
||
2.2. Adams Elementary School Named a National Model Professional Learning Community at Work School
Speaker(s):
(Mr. Todd Golden)
Discussion:
Mr. Golden recognized Adams Elementary School for being named by Solution Tree as a National Model Professional Learning Community (PLC) at Work School for sustained success in raising student achievement. The implementation of the PLC at Work process was a major contributing factor in the improved achievement of its students. Adams Elementary School is one of approximately 600 schools and districts in the United States and Canada to receive this honor. Adams is one of only seven schools in Tennessee to earn this status and one of only two elementary schools in the state.
|
||
2.3. Rotary Club of Kingsport Book Donation
Speaker(s):
(Dr. Brandon Fletcher)
Attachments:
(
)
Discussion:
Dr. Fletcher recognized the Rotary Club of Kingsport and Mrs. Heather Cook, President, for their Book Donation during National Children's Book Week (May 6-12, 2024) to all pre-k and elementary students in Kingsport City Schools. The book, "Grace and Grumpy: A Tail of Giving" is about two puppies who are neighbors that set off to change the world by giving to others. At the back of the book is an activity section intended to provide a more in-depth learning experience about the message of "Service Above Self".
|
||
3. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS
Discussion:
None
|
||
4. CONSENT AGENDA
|
||
4.1. Personnel Considerations
Speaker(s):
(Mrs. Jennifer Guthrie)
|
||
4.2. Approval of Minutes - May 14, 2024 BOE Regular Monthly Meeting
Speaker(s):
(Mrs. Melissa Woods)
Attachments:
(
)
|
||
4.3. Approval of Request to Apply for a Dobyns-Bennett High School Sparkle Squad Grant through Palmer Foundation
Speaker(s):
(Dr. Rhonda Stringham)
Attachments:
(
)
|
||
4.4. Approval of Surplus Property
Speaker(s):
(Mr. David Frye)
Attachments:
(
)
|
||
4.5. Approval of Consolidated Application for Federal Program FY 2024-2025
Speaker(s):
(Dr. Rhonda Stringham/Ms. Magen Jones)
Attachments:
(
)
|
||
4.6. Approval of Differentiated Pay Plan for 2024-2025 School Year
Speaker(s):
(Mrs. Jennifer Guthrie)
Attachments:
(
)
|
||
5. BUSINESS ITEMS
|
||
5.1. Approval of Policy on Second Reading
Speaker(s):
(Dr. Andy True)
)
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Dr. True presented Policy 6.3071 - Student Drug Testing for review and approval on second and final reading. He noted the new policy has remained unchanged since first reading in May, except for a title change from "Student Alcohol & Drug Testing".
|
||
5.2. Approval of Student Drug Testing Procedures
Speaker(s):
(Dr. Andy True)
)
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Dr. True reviewed proposed regulations and procedures for random student drug testing for the 2024-2025 school year. Per Policy 6.3071 - Student Drug testing, students in grades 9-12 participating in voluntary extracurricular activities may be randomly selected for drug testing throughout the academic school year. Per the policy and Tennessee State Law, Boards of Education must approve the procedures and guidelines regarding such testing programs.
|
||
5.3. Approval of Districtwide Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
Speaker(s):
(Dr. Andy True/Mr. David Frye/Mrs. Jennifer Walker)
Attachments:
(
)
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Dr. True, Mr. David Frye, Chief Finance Officer, and Mrs. Jennifer Walker, Supervisor of School Nutrition Services, presented information regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which is an option for eligible schools to offer meals at no cost to all enrolled students without collecting household applications. Authorized by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, CEP is a reimbursement alternative for eligible local educational agencies and schools participating in both the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. The program provides free breakfast and lunch to all students in program schools, regardless of income/benefit eligibility. It includes a standard meal for free, but a la carte items and additional meals are available for purchase at the regular price.
Mrs. Walker explained the CEP program was implemented in KCS at Title I schools in 2015 and has been proven to be financially viable in the current KCS model. The proposal is to include all KCS schools in the program beginning with the 2024-2025 school year. The eligibility window is four years. Staff have been reviewing how to provide this level of service to the students to ensure their physical needs are met. Dr. True reported the current KCS CEP schools were Palmer Center, Jackson, Kennedy, Lincoln, and Roosevelt elementary schools, and Sevier Middle School. The proposal was to add district schools that are not currently CEP schools, which are Adams, Johnson, Jefferson, and Washington elementary schools, Robinson Middle School, Cora Cox Academy, D-B EXCEL, and Dobyns-Bennett High School. Mrs. Walker noted that eligibility is determined by calculating the Identified Student Percentage (ISP), based on the number of students enrolled in KCS on April 1, 2024. The KCS ISP is 52.85%. The minimum ISP for eligibility for 2024-2025 is 25% (was 40%). Lowering the minimum ISP will give states and schools greater flexibility to offer meals to all enrolled students at no cost when financially viable. She reviewed the investigation process timeline and how SNS can continue to be self-funded if KCS does this. Dr. True reviewed the 2023-2024 Comparison of Revenues Non-CEP vs. CEP Vs. 1-% Increase in Participation - Lunch per school. These numbers are based on a 10% increase. CEP schools have a higher reimbursement rate. This is reimbursed by the federal government, but it flows to the district through the State of Tennessee. Dr. Hampton noted that the higher the ISP, the greater the return in reimbursement rate. School Nutrition Services staff and KCS administration believe this program will ensure that every child has access to a free, healthy meal. Staff have done the due diligence to ensure it is financially viable, as well as eliminating student meal debt. The CEP program would begin at the start of the 2024-2025 school year. SNS staff will review the numbers each year, and if they are higher they will re-certify that year, which begins the new 4-year cycle over again. Dr. Hampton indicated nearly every district around Kingsport is providing this option for their students. |
||
5.4. Approval to Award Bid for Nutrition Program Equipment for School Nutrition Services
Speaker(s):
(Mr. David Frye)
Attachments:
(
)
Action(s):
No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.
Discussion:
Mr. Frye presented a proposed bid to purchase School Nutrition program equipment for Kingsport City Schools Nutrition Services for use in several KCS kitchens. Two bids were opened and reviewed on May 30, 2024. Trimark USA, LLC was the lowest responsible compliant bidder at a total cost of $256,780.75. Funding for the purchase would come from the School Nutrition Services budget. All expenditures from this award are fully funded by the School Nutrition Services budget.
|
||
6. TIME AND DATES OF MEETINGS
Discussion:
MW - The board will not be having a work session this month. Next meeting is on July 9 and a work session on July 23.
|
||
6.1. July 9, 2024 - BOE Regular Monthly Meeting (6:00 PM)
|
||
6.2. July 19-20, 2024 - TSBA Summer Law Institute (Gatlinburg)
|
||
6.3. July 23, 2024 - BOE Work Session (6:00 PM)
|
||
6.4. August 13, 2024 - BOE Regular Monthly Meeting (6:00 PM)
|
||
7. ADJOURNMENT
Discussion:
Mrs. Woods adjourned the meeting at 7:28 pm
_____________________________________ Mrs. Melissa Woods, Board President _____________________________________ Vivian L. Altizer, Board Secretary |