Knox County Schools consider $9.4 million sales-tax surplus for Tower access fixes, bus contractor payments and technology

At a Sept. 29 work session, Knox County Schools administrators outlined proposals to spend an approximately $9.4 million sales-tax surplus on several district needs, including renovations to the UT Tower Plaza Suite to add a secondary egress and restroom access, a partial roof repair at the Knox Education Center (KEC), one-time payments for bus contractors and technology replacements. No formal vote was taken; administrators said the expenditures will be on the agenda for the Oct. 2 regular session and board members may request separate votes on individual items.

District administrators said the surplus came from stronger-than-expected sales-tax revenue. The proposed uses presented to the board included renovating the Plaza Suite — a space that houses the enrollment office and student family supports — to improve public restroom…