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Kingsport board approves $121.0 million FY2026–27 budget and awards Dobyns Bennett renovation bid
Summary
The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education approved a $121,020,963 FY2026–27 budget, a budget amendment that funds summer learning and grants, and awarded a $2.84 million base bid (plus selected alternates) for Dobyns Bennett High School renovations, authorizing a $3.27 million project total including contingency.
The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education on May 12 approved the district’s FY2026–27 budgets totaling $121,020,963 and authorized a major renovation contract for Dobyns Bennett High School.
Mr. Fry, presenting the budget, said the district’s TISA estimate stands at $73,091,976 and that the state’s new minimum teacher salary requirement of $50,000 requires the system to spend $964,888 on teacher salary improvements. He told the board the package of four funds — general purpose, federal projects, school special projects and school nutrition — represents a roughly 2.7% increase over the current year.
The board also approved budget amendment No. 6, which includes a $895,141 award for K–8 summer learning camps to cover staff, transportation, nursing and counseling services and reallocates $270,000 from operating accounts into the Dobyns Bennett renovation project. Mr. Fry said several small grant awards and grant‑account adjustments produced a net $17,521 decrease in the federal projects fund while adding $203,185 in new grants to the special projects fund.
On the Dobyns Bennett renovation, administration reported five bids and recommended awarding the project on the low base bid from Construction Partners for $2,840,000 and accepting alternates 3, 5, 6 and 7 (demolition of porcelain drinking fountains, updated directional signage, revised room signage and additional painting) after negotiated reductions. Mr. Fry said the base plus chosen alternates totals $2,901,801; adding an architect fee of $193,482 and a 6% contingency of $174,108 brings the recommended project authorization to $3,269,384. He told the board a preconstruction meeting is scheduled and work is fast‑tracked to begin after Memorial Day, with some annex work to occur during the fall semester.
Board members asked about the bid evaluation process and alternates; one member asked why the solicitation was structured to award on base bid alone and whether the district could have evaluated combinations of alternates. Mr. Fry replied that the bid documents specified awarding on the low base bid and that contractors had provided follow‑up clarifications and negotiated alternate pricing reductions.
The board moved and approved the FY2026–27 budgets, budget amendment No. 6 and the Dobyns Bennett contract award as presented. Next procedural steps cited by administration include final bond reimbursements from the city for earlier project advances and bringing future add‑on alternates (notably technology wiring) back to the board if necessary.
