Testing data and strategic plan discussed at KCS board meeting

KINGSPORT — Kingsport City Schools (KCS) Board of Education met Tuesday for their monthly regular meeting and discussed the school system's strategic plan for academic and learning growth. Throughout the summer, results for The Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) and Advanced Placement (AP) tests came back. The school system analyzed district data to measure student growth year over year. KCS has six key performance indicators as part of their strategic plan: 70% or more of students will score proficient on the third-grade English Language Arts (ELA) TCAP by 2027-2028. 65% or more of students will score proficient on the third-grade math TCAP by 2027-2028. 60% or more of students will score proficient on the sixth-grade ELA TCAP by 2027-2028. 70% or more of students will score proficient on the sixth-grade math TCAP by 2027-2028. 72.5% or more of students will meet the CCR requirements by 2027-2028. 70% or more of students will score proficient on the biology TCAP by 2027-2028. TCAP data showed that KCS students met the 2025-2026 goals for the first three metrics. After reviewing the progress on key performance indicators, Michael Hubbard, director of performance excellence, went over district TCAP and AP data in more depth. AP test data showed that 2025-2026 had the highest percentage of AP scores of three or above for KCS of any year. It also had the second highest number of KCS students enrolled in AP classes, beat only by 2024-2025. Superintendent Chris Hampton said the eventual goal is for KCS to rank as one of the top 10 school districts in the state. "I don't think anyone in this room is settled with where we are," said Hampton. "We're continuing to work, not for bragging rights but, for life changing rights." The board also approved an agreement to renew the Niswonger Foundation On-Track tutoring program, paid for by a grant. The program is referred to as "high dosage and low ratio." It aims to improve literacy in second through fifth grade students. The agreement for the 2026-2027 school year allocated $9,520 for Kennedy Elementary School and $36,400 for Roosevelt Elementary School. There is also a site coordinator stipend of $4,000 and a supply allocation of $600. The board also approved several new and revised policies. Among the 10 policies approved were a new policy regarding the limitation of digital devices in the classroom, revisions regarding private school participation in athletics and revisions regarding outside applied behavior analysis therapy. Board members Brandon Fletcher and Melissa Woods were sworn into their new terms. Woods was elected as board president and Fletcher was elected as board vice president. Both will serve a one-year term in those roles. The board will next convene at their work session Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. The next regular monthly meeting will take place Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 6 p.m.