Kingsport moving into next phase for new elementary in Lynn Garden

KINGSPORT — A new 750-student elementary school in the Lynn Garden section of Kingsport moved another step closer to reality Tuesday. That was when Kingsport school system leaders approved the next phase for the construction of the new elementary school. In addition, the Board of Education at its Tuesday evening meeting also approved a change order for renovation work at Dobyns-Benentt High School. Both appropriations came partly from extra Tennessee funding of which Kingsport City Schools received notice a few weeks ago. In addition, the board recognized — during a presentation from board President Brandon Fletcher — recent D-B graduate Emery Corpstein for winning the 2026 TSSAA Class AA Boys Tennis Singles State Tournament in Chattanooga on May 15. He was the first to win a D-B state tennis championship in 21 years and the first Indians player to win a boys singles title. The retiring Reedy Toney is head tennis coach, and assistants are Kaelin Toney and Holly Perdue. NEW ELEMENTARY VOTE Chief Finance Officer David Frye presented the board a recommendation to enter into a contract with Johnson City-based Thompson & Litton Inc. for Phase 3 for the new elementary school in Lynn Garden, to be located on the current site of the city-owned Lynn View Community Center, the former Lynn View High School once operated at 257 Walker St. by Sullivan County. The vote was 5-0. The administration-recommended agreement was for lump sum fee of $2.265 million with Thompson & Litton for professional architectural and engineering services to provide the design development, construction documents, bidding assistance and construction administration for Phase 3 of the new school not yet named. The total fee includes $188,795 for additional services for landscaping consultant, kitchen equipment consultant, furniture design consultant, furniture bidding and cost estimating. There is also $48,000 included for reimbursable expenses. Funding for Phase 3 is designated in the Lynn Garden Elementary School Project Fund, with the completion date of the new school scheduled for the end of May 2029. An additional $270,000 in Tennessee funding is going toward the Lynn Garden Phase 3 spending. The Lynn Garden school construction will be followed by renovations to convert parts of the former Sullivan North High School in Bloomingdale to a new elementary school there. Each school is designed to served up to 750 students. Roosevelt and Kennedy elementary schools in Lynn Garden will close when the new elementary in Lynn Garden opens, and Jackson Elementary just south of Stone Drive Lynn Garden will close when the new one in Bloomingale section of town opens. However, plans are for a districtwide rezoning when both are open. D-B CHANGE ORDER VOTE The board also approved a recommendation presented by Frye for an agreement with Construction Partners for the Dobyns-Bennett High School Select Renovations Phase Project in the amount of $2,901,801 and a 6% contingency in the amount of $174,108. With the receipt of more-than-expected TISA or Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement growth funds of $764,284, he said the administration recommended the three alternates be included in the project funded by $430,000 from TISA: Alternate 1: $236,000 for all demolition and new work associated with the renovation in the old administrative area; Alternate 2: $160,000 for all demolition and new work associated with the construction of the existing building connector for fire shutter replacement; and Alternate 9A - $106,000 for technology wiring to the new classrooms and associated spaces on the second floor east wing. The change order to the agreement with Construction Partners is $502,000 and increases the 6% contingency by $30,120.The total cost for the construction agreement with the change order is $3,403,801. The total cost of this project will be $3,852,052. Funding will be from the Dobyns-Bennett renovation project fund. The board voted 5-0. Superintendent of Schools Chris Hampton and Frye said the extra TISA money was not expected but came because of a concentrated poverty level for KCS identified by the state that multiplied a small enrollment increase of just over 1% 1.6 times to more than $700,000. Hampton said the money allows completion of extra D-B things and makes up what would have been a small shortfall in the Lynn Garden project. OTHER MATTERS On consent matters, the board approved 2026-27 members of the Disciplinary Hearing Authority, approved 2026-27 school fees and fines as well as other housekeeping matters including a 2026-27 contract with ESS South Central for substitute teacher staff. It also accepted a $31,500 donation from Ballad Health for seven reset rooms at seven schools, giving students and teachers an aid in mental health and stress reduction. Also, the board approved an annual contract with Frontier Health/Holston children and Youth Services for a $140,000 2026-27 contract to continue current services and a memorandum of understanding with Clarvida/Cambelot Care Centers Inc. for behavioral health and counseling services for students at a cost not to exceed $198,000. In addition, the board approved a $15,000 contract with Blue Ridge Medical Management Corporation to do random drug tests for voluntary extracurricular student drug screenings for 2026-27. The board also reviewed proposed policy change recommendations, some of which are be approved at the Aug. 11 board meeting and others in September, and approved the 2026-27 board meeting and work session calendar for 2026-27. Board meetings are mostly the second Tuesday of each month with board work sessions the fourth Tuesday of each month, with some ocassional exceptions and some months without work sessions.