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Kingsport board approves curriculum adoptions, assessment contract and facility work
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Summary
The Kingsport City Schools board voted April 14 to adopt Cengage MindTap and Goodheart-Willcox as approved curricular resources for grades 9—12, award an Instructure agreement for benchmark assessments (not to exceed $98,209), purchase band uniforms ($93,850), and contract to replace Robinson Middle Schoolfire alarm systems (base bid $173,726.32).
At its April 14 meeting the Kingsport City Schools Board of Education approved several business items including curriculum adoptions, software and equipment purchases, and a facilities contract.
Staff presented findings from a Schedule E textbook and curriculum review for advanced manufacturing, CTE, STEM, IT, engineering and lifetime wellness/physical education in grades 9—12. The review used a locally developed rubric and teacher reviewers; staff said the rubric aligned closely with Tennessee Department of Education guidance. The administration recommended approving Cengage MindTap for STEM/advanced manufacturing and Goodheart-Willcox (Goodheart-Willcox) for lifetime wellness as approved curricular resources for the 9—12 band. The board approved the adoptions; staff emphasized that adoption approves the resources for use, while separate procurement (purchase) remains a later step.
The board approved a recommended purchase of band uniforms for Dobyns-Bennett High School: 400 jackets and 75 bib pants from Fred J. Miller, procured through the BuyBoard cooperative purchasing agreement, at a total price of $93,850. Board members discussed the typical lifespan of uniforms and noted staggered purchases over time.
Trustees also approved an agreement with Instructure (MasterConnect) for a customized benchmark assessment platform not to exceed $98,209. Administration said the district has used the platform previously (grades 2—11) and budgeted $110,000 for the next fiscal year. Staff and board members discussed the platform's predictability for end-of-course TCAP performance and referenced external validation work using blinded district data.
For facilities, administration recommended awarding the Robinson Middle School fire alarm replacement contract to Building Systems Technology (BST) based on bids opened April 8. The base bid presented was $173,726.32; administration listed a total project estimate of $192,836.64 that included an $8,686.32 engineering fee and a 6% contingency (the transcript cites both $10,424 and $10,004.24 for the contingency in different lines). Board approved the contract and contingency.
All motions on these business items were moved, seconded and recorded as passing; the meeting record shows "motion passes" but does not include a roll-call vote tally in the transcript.
Next steps noted in the meeting: the Instructure purchase is planned to take effect July 1 and staff will include the item in next year's budget planning; procurement for adopted curricular materials will follow the district's purchasing process.
