Kingsport board praises student achievements in choir, robotics, athletics and theater

Kingsport City Schools used part of its Feb. 10 meeting to recognize student and program accomplishments across the district.

The Soaring Sounds Choir from Johnson Andrew Johnson Elementary performed for the board. Superintendent or presenter remarks noted that 10% of that school's population took part in the choir and introduced soloists Paisley Priesler and Jackson Smith.

Officials celebrated competitive results: the state robotics competition included 32 teams, five from Kingsport; Robinson's MathCounts program, led by Miss Bratton, again won the regional championship and will compete at state in March; the girls swim team posted its best result in roughly 40 years, placing 11th overall and sixth among public schools; and wrestling results included multiple qualifiers to state and regional coach honors for Wesley Bridal.

The board was told Dobbins Bennett students will stage The Music Man with multiple performances. Separately, district leaders said they just learned Kingsport City Schools qualified as a high-performing system under the state's TESA recognition (one of 22 of about 140 districts). Officials estimated an initial prorated award around $1.3 million for the district under current allocations, rising toward $2.0 million if additional funding is approved by the legislature; the final amount was not yet finalized.

Board members thanked staff and volunteers and congratulated students and coaches for the results.