Knox County Board approves grants, budget adjustments and policy first readings; hears public comments on student needs

Knox County Board of Education members on Sept. 11 approved multiple Tennessee Department of Education grants and year‑end budget adjustments, authorized several after‑school contracts and advanced five board policies on first reading. The board also heard three public‑forum speakers who urged more attention to student mental‑health supports and access to in‑school therapeutic services.

The board approved a Tennessee Department of Education voluntary pre‑K grant for fiscal year 2026 totaling $2,173,178.03, with required in‑kind matching funds of $1,356,122, and approved other state grant awards and local funding items intended to support special education, early literacy and systemwide initiatives. Separately, the board adopted a $14,802,076 fiscal‑year 2025 year‑end budget adjustment and designated and adjusted school nutrition fund balances.

Why it matters: the grant awards will fund pre‑K slots, preschool special‑education services and several targeted programs; the year‑end budget adjustment and nutrition‑fund changes reflect the district’s closing‑year financial reconciliations. Together, the actions affect program staffing, classroom supports and after‑school programming in multiple Knox County schools.

Board action and key approvals

Votes at a glance • Tennessee Department of Education voluntary pre‑K grant, FY2026: $2,173,178.03 (required in‑kind match $1,356,122) — approved (voice vote; mover: Miss Henderson; seconder: Mr. Triplett). Transcript reference: agenda item text at 2656.84–2676.69.

• Tennessee Department of Education special education preschool grant, FY2026: $899,072.55 — approved (voice vote; mover: Reverend Butler; seconder: Miss Vyke). Transcript reference: 2688.23–2699.68.

• IDEA Partnership for Systemic Change grant, FY2026: $100,000 — approved (voice vote; mover: Miss Templeton; seconder: Miss Spike). Transcript reference: 2712.36–2721.98 and 2724.27–2734.60.

• Early literacy pre‑K teacher stipends grant, FY2025: $70,000 — approved (voice vote; mover: Reverend Butler; seconder: Miss Templeton). Transcript reference: 2735.93–2745.07 and 2747.77–2757.55.

• Memorandum of understanding with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley and acceptance of…