January 13, 2026 at 6:00 PM - Kingsport City Schools Board of Education Regular Meeting

Description:  Lincoln Elementary School students Aalliyah and Hector Valle will lead the Board of Education and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. Aalliyah is a 5th grader and Hector is in Kindergarten.

Description:  Dr. Brandon Fletcher, Board President, will ask for a motion to accept the agenda, which includes the consent agenda. Once the agenda is accepted, the Board mutually agrees not to discuss any item of business or take any action that has not been accepted for the agenda.

Description:  Board Vice President Melissa Woods will recognize Dr. Stephanie Potter, Principal of Jefferson Elementary School, for being named the Kingsport City Schools 2026 Principal of the Year.

Dr. Potter is in her 30th year as an educator, entering her seventh year at Jefferson Elementary. Potter's teaching career began at the elementary level in Lee County, VA, teaching a combined second and third grade class. After one year, she taught second grade for eight years. She also completed an interim position as principal/teacher for one semester. After moving to Kingsport, Dr. Potter secured a job in Scott County, VA, where she taught first grade one year and fourth grade math the remaining three years she was there. The next three years she served as the Associate Principal at Robinson Middle School and the Kingsport City Schools Section 504 Coordinator for two of those three years. She then spent four years as Principal at John Adams Elementary and then served three years at the Administrative Support Center as Director of Professional Learning. Dr. Potter holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Carson Newman University, a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Tusculum University, an Educational Specialist degree in Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University, and a Doctorate of Education in Teaching and Learning from Liberty University.

Description:  Board President Dr. Brandon Fletcher will recognize David Sewell, Supervisor of Maintenance and Custodial Services, for being named the Kingsport City Schools 2026 Supervisor of the Year.

Currently in his seventh year in this role, Mr. Sewell is passionate about providing high-quality learning environments for students and educators where he focuses on safety and innovation. He holds an Associates degree from Northeast Community College in Drafting/Design and has over 15 years experience in Maintenance and Construction Management.

Description:  Board member Todd Golden will recognize the Kingsport City Schools 2026 Building-Level Teachers of the Year.

2026 Teachers of the Year (Building-Level)

Grades PreK-4:
Freddi Correll, Palmer Center
Casey Silkwood, Adams Elementary School
Kesha Ryan, Jackson Elementary School
Karen Kitzmiller, Jefferson Elementary School
Julia Burke, Johnson Elementary School
Sierra Hayley Bishop, Kennedy Elementary School
Jessica Carr, Lincoln Elementary School
Megan Edmiston, Roosevelt Elementary School
Breanna (Lester) Carpenter, Washington Elementary School

Grades 5-8:
Chelsie Abrams, Sevier Middle School
Brandon Blair, Sevier Middle School
Ashley Winkle, Sevier Middle School
Jessica Chase, Robinson Middle School
Tracie Hill, Robinson Middle School
Jeremy Hutson, Robinson Middle School

Grades 9-12:
(Ryan) Brandon Reed, Dobyns-Bennett High School
Leigh Tuell, Dobyns-Bennett High School
Candace Burchfield, Dobyns-Bennett High School
Olivia Guntrum, Dobyns-Bennett High School
Kerrie Sluder, Dobyns-Bennett High School
Sarah Good, Dobyns-Bennett High School
Miriam Lane, D-B EXCEL
Michael Holt, Cora Cox

Description:  Board member Jamie Jackson will recognize the Kingsport City Schools 2026 District-Level Teachers of the Year at the elementary, middle, and high school level.

2026 Teachers of the Year (District-Level):

Grades PreK-4:  Megan Edmiston, Roosevelt Elementary School
Currently in her eighth year of teaching, Ms. Edmiston is passionate about creating an equitable learning environment for all students. She ensures that every child has the opportunity to set and reach their personal and academic goals. Her wealth of experience in Title 1 schools helps her create a warm and safe learning environment for all students, no matter their background. Ms. Edmiston holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from East Tennessee State University.

Grades 5-8:  Karen Kitzmiller, Jefferson Elementary School
Now in her 15th year as a classroom teacher - 13 years at Jackson Elementary and the last two years at Jefferson Elementary School - Mrs. Kitzmiller is deeply passionate about fostering student growth and learning both inside and outside the classroom. She employs a data-driven, student-centered approach to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed. Throughout her tenure with Kingsport City Schools, Mrs. Kitzmiller has held multiple leadership roles, including math, science, and technology teacher leader. She has also coached Math Olympiad, FIRST Lego League, and Girls on the Run. Mrs. Kitzmiller holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from East Tennessee State University and a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from Lincoln Memorial University.

Grades 9-12:  (Ryan) Brandon Reed, Dobyns-Bennett High School
Mr. Reed is currently in his 24th year teaching, with the last 15 years teaching Algebra 1 and Geometry at Dobyns-Bennett High School. He has served in numerous leadership roles during his tenure, including co-leading the Algebra 1 team. Mr. Reed has also served as a mentor for new teachers and has been a student teacher mentor for numerous future Kingsport City Schools educators. Mr. Reed's classroom is built on the principles of hard work, perseverance, and maintaining a growth mindset. He currently co-teachers Algebra 1 in a special education classroom, where fostering academic and personal growth is a daily focus. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Mr. Reed serves as an assistant basketball coach and assistant athletic director for Dobyns-Bennett. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business and Management Accounting from Tusculum University, a Master's degree in Secondary Mathematics from Milligan University, and an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University.

Description:  Board member Dr. Phillip Marshall will recognize the Kingsport City Schools 2026 District-Level Novice Teachers of the Year.

Grades PreK-4:  Madison Lay, Johnson Elementary School
Grades 5-8:  Will Shockley, Robinson Middle School
Grades 9-12:  Reid Conner, Dobyns-Bennett High School

Description: 

Public Comment Guidelines:

This is the time when members of the audience are invited to comment on agenda items. If pre-approved by the Board Executive Committee, members of the community may also address the Board regarding non-agenda items. In order to speak on a topic not included on the agenda, per Board Policy 1.404, you must submit a written request to the Superintendent of Schools at least three (3) business days before the regular meeting.  

This is not the time to speak about personnel issues, as there are more appropriate ways in which these can be addressed. If you are not sure how to do this, please ask a Board member after the meeting. In your remarks, you may not refer to students by name without permission from a parent or guardian.

Speakers are requested to first state your name and limit your remarks to a maximum of three (3) minutes.

Thank you.

Description:   New banking resolutions have been completed at two schools due to recent administrative changes. Attached are resolutions for the Activities Account at the following schools:

• Jackson Elementary School
• Washington Elementary School

Description:  Per Policy 3.204 - Threat Assessment Team, a report is required to be presented to the Board of Education at least once per quarter listing the total number of incidents reported to state and local law enforcement agencies requiring notice to parent(s)/guardian(s) for the respective quarter, as well as for the year to date.

Description:  Mr. David Frye, Chief Finance Officer, will present a recommendation to enter into an agreement with Thompson & Litton, Inc. for architectural design services for phase one of the Dobyns-Bennett High School select renovations. Thompson & Litton, Inc. will provide architectural and engineering design services, bidding assistance, and construction contract administration services for a lump fee of $193,475.00 and $14,000.00 reimbursable expenses.

Thompson & Litton, Inc. will provide architectural and engineering design services, bidding assistance, and construction contract administration services for the following renovations at Dobyns-Bennett High School:

- fire shutter removal and replacement
- second and third floor finish upgrades
- renovations of the old office lobby and adjoining interior reception space
- new classrooms and meeting areas in each of the existing pods
- rear stair replacement and work to the cafeteria exterior walkway

The estimated construction cost of this project is $2,850,000.00. A portion of the renovations will occur during the summer of 2026, with the remainder of the work occurring during the school year, weekends, and holidays.

The agreement will be funded from the Dobyns-Bennett Renovation Project GP2111.

Description:  Mr. Frye will present a recommendation to purchase 180 teacher laptops for grades 9–12 at Dobyns-Bennett High School and D-B EXCEL from Dell Marketing L.P. utilizing the Wilson County Schools Cooperative Purchasing Agreement (Contract C000000381302). The Dell Pro 13 Plus PB13250 are $1,025.00 each, for a total cost of $184,500.00. Funding will be from the School General Purpose Funds.

Description:  Mr. Jim Nash, Chief Student Services Officer, will review the process regarding a parent request to appeal a Student Disciplinary Hearing Authority placement decision for Board consideration.