[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6530719,"mediaKeyId","3639826-63dc381ead75f1fb991b3e4864f73915","parentId",3639826,"title","Liberty Bell Middle School principal, students highlight programs and new CTE offerings","audioSeconds",111,"startMs",219000,"endMs",330000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3639826-63dc381ead75f1fb991b3e4864f73915&start=219&end=330","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3639826-63dc381ead75f1fb991b3e4864f73915/thumbnail_219000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6530719/Tennessee/Liberty-Bell-Middle-School-principal-students-highlight-programs-and-new-CTE-offerings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530719-5ffad706e9583dd6b83f78e309cc9b36/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447947&Signature=JwqdhWUl3JhxsHet76Jv-PQqFZUeTQWuP~3uA3Zp3FEncBU5K4XK37ELigNVyNRtZeoGOeKrmRM8qfPb2LeIubJcBqlnPAAHTJAwBZipb1yNfXLHo8vbl4w33H9oEqRYYgZkp1HKbFENwZag4nMi7h5Shxs9AYQJcBC~LzrWKrK6G7Mol12GX-rwsQNkq1w-HR1uXoOumsyqroKoz4D06Nbqk0BfnJY1QuhA7e8yYpsSdG4nMMcn1pvI5WYBX2Wh6BphZAox~lFKV8e9ESb8piYDeQSqpGuFYjgjtKs3LGd9HmCNE~COqlrn8IGh-Xi4Pku8PKnJDCOLRWNs02eDpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Johnson City Schools","date","2025-06-03T00:00:00Z","article","A Liberty Bell Middle School presentation to the Johnson City Schools Board on June 2 described enrollment, staffing, extracurricular participation and planned career‑exploration classes for rising eighth graders.

The presenter said Liberty Bell had 70 teachers and 35 support staff and reported 991 students for the year. School staff described program work across four categories — learning, believing, mentoring and succeeding — and highlighted efforts to increase academic, social‑emotional and behavioral supports.

The school hosted a Career Quest trip to East Tennessee State University for eighth graders, expanded newsletters for families, and placed four teachers on a learning‑focus team to introduce high‑yield instructional strategies. Administrators said next year Liberty Bell will offer exploratory career and technical education (CTE) classes (robotics, culinary, sports leadership, horticulture, advanced art and health sciences) in partnership with Science Hill and Indian Trail so students can sample options before high school; the district noted eighth‑grade students cannot earn high‑school credit for those courses this year.

The principal described a tutoring partnership with the Niswonger Project On Track; 18 students participated in after‑school tutoring and staff said all showed checkpoint growth. The school reported 48% of students enrolled in a music class and 35% participating on athletic teams; staff said the goal for next year is to connect 100% of students with an extracurricular activity, club or team.

An eighth‑grade student addressed the board and spoke directly about the school’s sense of community, teachers and supports that help students prepare for Science Hill High School; the student said teachers “care, they listen, and they push us to do our best.”","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 2025 BOE Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Liberty Bell Middle School staff reported school enrollment, staff numbers and program highlights; the school will offer exploratory CTE classes and continues partnerships for tutoring and student supports.","taxTitle","Johnson City, School Districts, Tennessee","taxId",38711,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6530724,"Board approves superintendent contract; amends motion to exclude incoming superintendent from one‑time staff bonus",714,3640000,4354000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3639826-63dc381ead75f1fb991b3e4864f73915&start=3640&end=4354","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3639826-63dc381ead75f1fb991b3e4864f73915/thumbnail_3640000.jpg","/articles/6530724/Tennessee/Board-approves-superintendent-contract-amends-motion-to-exclude-incoming-superintendent-from-onetime-staff-bonus","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530724-b08b408d0cec4d268c4a076e40f2747a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770420018&Signature=Dl285F9uMi8~77cm8FqBW424t3O~Vd34nSrJnCLbdZcOOkJn8FYSvL~RJzaJDqPu1PKAaCWV66U8hqMcwVUDIsayBKw5GQdApMbYgDdXmvdXgTSdpSq0tdvqCFUABdq13yqKgCwGKimm6XOHoRh0g70bvAdgWlgLPQnct4~jUaTn~jkFmQxB9gpwrRLlCgR9thq9uARhsOpcUKG8o8cy-TaqvP1oOrAEvFeW3I2GZEIPUT6uCJbHiqk2NIWGqhSJxz7qFujEM63VzW4PxCbDnUlBQ0FMOFYFtliPuwNxHjISml03R2JvtzwbLkbncPgHJyB0mrzpANaS~08QvFSMTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Johnson City Schools Board approved a contract for incoming superintendent Dr. Slater on June 2 and specifically amended the motion to exclude her from the one‑time supplemental bonus the board approved for district staff for 2024–25.

Board members discussed the contract’s effective date and whether that date would make the incoming superintendent eligible for the board’s bonus or create gaps in health insurance coverage. Administrators and finance staff advised the board that health insurance enrollment rules and COBRA options could create a gap if the contract started on certain days; lawyers and risk managers had been consulted and the board determined the change would not create unintended eligibility for raises or retirement years.

To eliminate any ambiguity about bonus eligibility, a board member moved and the board approved an amendment specifying that Dr. Slater would be excluded from the $2024–25 one‑time bonus the board authorized for staff. Board members noted the state portion of the bonus has separate eligibility requirements (a 120‑day rule) and that the board’s supplemental payment had been structured to finish the year requirement; finance staff said the district had communicated an intended eligibility message to employees and would clarify the precise criteria in follow‑up communications.

The motion to approve the superintendent contract with the exclusion passed by roll call.","The board approved the incoming superintendent’s contract but amended its motion to specify the superintendent would not receive the one‑time bonus tied to the district’s 2024–25 staff payments; board members discussed insurance and eligibility timing.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6530729,"Johnson City board adopts 2025–26 budget, new teacher pay scale, 2% raise and one‑time staff bonus",519,1547000,2066000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3639826-63dc381ead75f1fb991b3e4864f73915&start=1547&end=2066","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3639826-63dc381ead75f1fb991b3e4864f73915/thumbnail_1547000.jpg","/articles/6530729/Tennessee/Johnson-City-board-adopts-202526-budget-new-teacher-pay-scale-2-raise-and-onetime-staff-bonus","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530729-0b428640eb7c66704439b2bcb477626c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770420018&Signature=IcGGHhsISWrYk4TBlJov9sdUqrQODNimHUf9p22xZ4~ATpeUIg~I7y2HKwZtWbEmPMtm6ak9sPNa6o9aG3q6p3w9Tdh~kcW2AdNqq2f62lkN-Lu3hsJZB-iAaJ4YmLJifLmL5AGUaJHP357Pzh6nOrBOw75OtACMOPLcwvnQWd41cqY6tf-GvT5AFZiZ006JgxaGtdnCuAVqst6qilXIaVDGGZl03XL33fJm9fmimqSaL7oOoGjhlirbASt0PwJRylscLKgBFeSHkAr7Rkf6uCBayfwdnKUg1LWNDEx75qqKCblKw9Dg99bn0uK905Mv-i6ZcMLLvBdjK~fCaUghYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Johnson City Schools Board of Education on June 2 approved the district’s 2025–26 budget and salary schedules, a 2% across‑the‑board pay increase, step increases and a one‑time bonus for staff. The board also approved Budget Amendment No. 4 for fiscal 2024–25 and received the April financial report.

District finance director Leah Vallee presented the April 30 financial report: revenues for April totaled $8,502,000 and expenditures $8,865,000; the fund balance had increased by $6,969,000 through April 30, which the director said would drop in May when the state’s TISA payment was not issued. Vallee told the board property tax collections were approximately 2% above last year and sales tax adjusted for Washington County funding changes was about 3.4% above last year.

Budget Amendment No. 4 increased both revenues and expenditures in the general fund by $1,703,816, Vallee said, to account for reimbursements and final allocations including state paid parental‑leave reimbursement, Educare revenues, the Niswonger Project On Track reimbursement, IDA high‑cost special education reimbursements, and TISA growth funds. The amendment also adjusted food service and federal/state grant funds to reflect final allocations. The board approved the amendment by voice vote.

The 2025–26 budget includes the approved 2% pay increase, step increases and a one‑time bonus; the board adopted a new teacher pay scale that raises starting salaries and changes how additional degree pay is calculated (higher degrees set as a dollar amount above a master’s rather than a percentage). The district said all new teachers for 2025–26 will be placed on the new scale; existing teachers will be placed on whichever scale yields the higher salary unless they elected to remain grandfathered on the old scale.

Board members said they intentionally included bonuses that applied to all employees, and that the district will communicate specifics to staff. The board approved the budget and pay scales on a motion and roll call vote.","The board approved the 2025–26 budget and pay scales, including a 2% salary increase, step increases and a one‑time bonus for staff; the board also approved budget amendment #4 and financial reports for April.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6530734,"Johnson City board approves Market Street School as virtual program, expands alternative placements",1217,2290000,3507000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3639826-63dc381ead75f1fb991b3e4864f73915&start=2290&end=3507","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3639826-63dc381ead75f1fb991b3e4864f73915/thumbnail_2290000.jpg","/articles/6530734/Tennessee/Johnson-City-board-approves-Market-Street-School-as-virtual-program-expands-alternative-placements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530734-788011e2da7ff766141246e9ce7516b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770420018&Signature=g~jvssWix4w-e3Q6R5s~8dlSbxRH59aWDev9gWM1VGIKci1HSAACMRckW4N~AoI~TzQf~-9vkvRKTy8vhKS9fYRwE1l3PyLdpRd7tjZ1s3Yd1zZo7BUz8ZO47Mt6KCT2U8exj4GHL03HncSJzmt0gYcUoDl-9Z0IqVfuyO8T7dpUHTp29dQSJNm8tkQuWsOblEy9geQpLJvHgylognuLBRrCPfa3-EG4StkA4BQGvlz2kacCSXNDo0PNQLTYqQHxTajiRosxoBc4F0Nv4AHtzD91LBHDZgc~kROOr5t2UPR-OcGoDatbGz9sj8Lm5MTkeHIp-Ex~flRSKwspAmaleg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Johnson City Schools Board of Education on June 2 approved the creation of Market Street School as a distinct virtual school and campus to house the district’s alternative and fully virtual programs.

The board voted to authorize the district to submit an application to the Tennessee Department of Education to reestablish a virtual school number and operate the Market Street campus for grades 1 through 12, including co-op arrangements so high‑school students can participate in extracurriculars at their zoned high school. The motion passed on a roll call vote.

Board members and administrators said the action responds to new state guidance tightening rules for virtual and alternative programs. In staff presentations, district leaders said the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) notified districts late that virtual programs and alternative placements require clearer accounting and specific approvals; the Market Street School application is intended to align Johnson City with those rules.

Superintendent-level staff and the district’s alternative‑program leaders described how the Market Street School would operate. Fully virtual students would be enrolled under the new school number and use the district’s contract with Pearson for instruction; elementary alternative placements could include a limited 45‑day virtual placement when local options are exhausted. District staff said the Pearson platform provides mostly synchronous instruction at the elementary level and a blend of synchronous and asynchronous instruction at middle and high school.

Administrators said the separate school number would let the district staff and fund virtual and alternative placements differently from current site‑based Edmentum or onsite alternative programs. The board was told Market Street students would still be eligible to participate in athletics and extracurriculars at their zoned schools through co‑op agreements, though a Market Street diploma and graduation ceremony would be separate from Science Hill High School unless local principals arranged otherwise.

District officials said the plan includes increased special‑education staffing at the Market Street campus and broader on‑site supports for students who now receive fewer instructional hours (for example, some medically fragile students currently on homebound instruction). Topper Academy staff and administrators will continue to be part of the program during the transition; the district said the Market Street campus would be referred to administratively as the Science Hill Market Street campus for clarity.

Board members said they moved the item promptly because of the state deadline in late April and the timing of the TDOE appendix the district received. A board member said many districts received similar notices and some were racing to comply.

The board approved the motion to apply for creation of Market Street School as a virtual school, including co‑op arrangements for high‑school extracurricular participation and, if needed, co‑op arrangements for middle school. The motion passed by roll call.","The Johnson City Schools Board voted to create a separate virtual school, Market Street School, to meet new state requirements and give the district a distinct virtual school number and expanded alternative placement options for students in grades 1–12.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Liberty Bell Middle School principal, students highlight programs and new CTE offerings

Board approves superintendent contract; amends motion to exclude incoming superintendent from one‑time staff bonus

Johnson City board adopts 2025–26 budget, new teacher pay scale, 2% raise and one‑time staff bonus

Johnson City board approves Market Street School as virtual program, expands alternative placements