Sullivan school budget sent back to commission without cuts

BLOUNTVILLE — Budget discussion was the primary focus of conversation again for the Sullivan County Schools Board of Education. After the County Commission's rejection of the proposed school budget at their June 29 meeting, the board was forced to return to the drawing board and discuss items to cut. The budget proposal uses up to $11.7 million in fund balance. Concern over using so much of the fund balance is what prompted the commission to reject the proposal. No cuts During the work session which preceded the board meeting, board members reviewed the additions to the proposed budget that they discussed and approved at their June meeting. Sullivan County Schools Assistant Director, HR Supervisor Ingrid Deloach went through the additions and concluded that the most recommended items to cut were the four associate principal positions and the additional SRO positions. Once the board started the official meeting and reached the budget on the agenda, board member Michael Hughes addressed the commission — one member of which was present — and shared his frustration, stating that the school system has experienced a lack of funding and cuts to the budget for years. "Do you want to look back one day and say 'boy, I wish we had done it?'" Hughes asked, specifically regarding the additional SRO positions. After further discussion, board member Angie Stanley motioned to send the budget back to the commission with no changes. All board members voted "yes" to the motion; the commission will receive an unedited school budget back. Presentation by rock quarry representatives During the board's work session, representatives from the Tri-Cities Airport rock quarry — owned by Martin Marietta Materials — presented further information on the quarry and addressed the board's concerns about the potential property rezoning of the rock quarry's operations. If the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Alderman passes the rezoning request, the rock quarry will be able to expand, moving the quarry's border closer to Holston Elementary School. The representatives showed videos of recent blasts, including one at which Director of Schools Chuck Carter was present. No other board members have toured the quarry, but the representatives present extended the invitation once again. They also answered questions about risks of property damage, sinkholes, noise and dust. "We're running at about 10% or less of the state limit and what is allowed as vibration," said one of the representatives. "There's no chance with these levels of vibration that there's going to be any damage to any structures anywhere around the quarry." Martin Marietta attorney Marcy Walker — who shared public comment at the June board meeting — said that the quarry has offered to assess the school and pay for a seismograph on school property to help calm concerns. Once the board moved to the official meeting, Stanley motioned to send the same letter of concern to the BMA, as the one sent to the Kingsport Regional Planning Commission last month. Hughes commented that although the presentation eased his concern about potential damage to the school building and grounds, he remains worried about the students' and staff's health and wellbeing. "I'm still concerned about the long-term health benefits, dust — whatever it fits into the other — you can't see," Hughes said. The board voted to send the letter of concern to the BMA. Other items of note Carter shared that Sullivan County Schools has received about $1.5 million in funding for two childcare centers. Sullivan County high school students will be able to work at the centers. As the money is not available until October, that is when preparations will start. Carter shared that the centers will hopefully be close to operation-ready in March 2027. Andy Hare, principal of Sullivan East High School, asked the board to approve a funding request for a WIN Reality Smart Park System, a technology system which can measure statistics for baseball. This system would help student athletes with recruitment. Sullivan County would be the first school system in the area to adopt this technology. The board approved the request. The board heard an update regarding the Perkins Reserve Grant — covered in a recent Times News article — and how it will be used by Sullivan County. The grant will help create a mobile testing CCR lab and introduce CLEP testing to the school system. CLEP allows students to earn up college credit, like AP and IB. Right now, roughly 70% of Sullivan County students graduate with dual enrollment, AP credit or an industry certification. The goal is 85%. It was also pointed out that Sullivan County received the max amount possible from the grant. The board of education's next meeting will be Aug. 6.