Kingsport Schools Earn $2 Million in Extra Tennessee Funding

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The Kingsport City Schools Board of Education learned that the district will receive $1.2 to $2 million in one-time funding from the state of Tennessee due to more than 50% of students earning an "A" letter grade in the 2024-25 school year. This funding, part of the new Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) formula, rewards high-achieving school districts.

Why it matters

The additional TISA funding highlights Kingsport's success in providing a high-quality education to its students. As Tennessee transitions to a new school funding model, Kingsport's strong academic performance has positioned the district to receive a significant financial boost that can be reinvested into educational programs and resources.

The details

Kingsport City Schools Superintendent Chris Hampton received an email from the state Department of Education informing him of the $1.2 to $2 million in one-time funding. This funding is part of the $17 million set aside in the state budget for high-achieving school districts, but the total demand exceeded the initial allocation, leading Governor Bill Lee to request an additional $11 million from the General Assembly.

• On February 11, 2026, the Kingsport City Schools Board of Education learned about the funding during their regular meeting.
• The funding is based on the district's performance in the 2024-25 school year, when more than 50% of students earned an "A" letter grade.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Governor Bill Lee is asking the Tennessee General Assembly to approve an additional $11 million to fully fund the one-time rewards for high-achieving school districts like Kingsport.