Kingsport School Board Updating Policies to Meet State Requirements

Changes include how student absences for school trips are counted and clarifying graduation requirements.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 12:55pm

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The Kingsport Board of Education is set to adopt several policy changes to align with new Tennessee state laws and regulations. The updates address issues like counting student absences for school-sanctioned trips, clarifying the difference between a state diploma and a local district diploma, providing information to charter schools, and revising language around the safe relocation of students.

Why it matters

As a local school district, Kingsport must update its policies to comply with changes in state education laws and regulations. These policy updates help ensure the district is following the latest requirements from the Tennessee Board of Education, which can impact student attendance, graduation requirements, charter school applications, and other school operations.

The details

The four key policy changes being considered by the Kingsport Board of Education include: 1) Students on school-sanctioned trips will now be counted as present rather than having an excused absence; 2) Clarifying the difference between a Kingsport school system diploma and a state diploma, as Kingsport requires 28 credits to graduate versus the state's 22-credit requirement; 3) Providing charter school sponsors with state and federal per-pupil funding estimates and a timeline for board actions on charter applications; and 4) Updating language around which school employees can physically relocate students for safety reasons.

  • The Kingsport Board of Education discussed the policy changes during a work session on January 27, 2026.
  • The board is scheduled to vote on adopting the policy changes at its regular meeting on February 10, 2026.

The players

Kingsport Board of Education

The local school board responsible for governing the Kingsport school district in Tennessee.

Tennessee Board of Education

The state-level board that sets education policies and regulations for all public schools in Tennessee.

Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA)

An organization that provides guidance and model policies to local school boards across Tennessee.

Chris Hampton

The superintendent of Kingsport City Schools.

Andy True

The assistant superintendent of administration for Kingsport City Schools.

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What they’re saying

“TSBA wanted to send out this information so that boards are aware of it before any charter applications are received.”

— Andy True, Assistant Superintendent of Administration

“Kingsport students who graduate with fewer than 28 credits receive a state diploma but are not allowed to participate in the D-B graduation ceremony.”

— Chris Hampton, Superintendent

What’s next

The Kingsport Board of Education is scheduled to vote on adopting the proposed policy changes at its regular meeting on February 10, 2026.

The takeaway

As a local school district, Kingsport must continually update its policies to align with evolving state education requirements. These policy changes demonstrate the district's commitment to compliance and ensuring its practices match the latest Tennessee regulations, which can impact student attendance, graduation, charter schools, and other key areas of school operations.