Knox County Schools considers changing school start times to cut bus routes

What This Story Is About Knox County Schools is considering three options that would change school start times and cut bus routes to save money. Why It Matters One plan would save $2.7 million a year. A Covenant Health nurse practitioner said students who miss sleep struggle in class and have mental health effects.

What Happens Next The district said the options are estimates and a starting point, not a final plan, and no decision has been made. District reviews three options after bringing in transportation company in February KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -Knox County Schools is considering three options that would change school start times and cut bus routes to save money.

The district brought in a transportation company in February and all three options involve cutting bus routes. Some middle and high school students could start as late as 9:30 a.m. Some elementary students could start as early as 7:30 a.m. One plan would save $2.7 million a year and cut 77 bus routes.

Summary of the outlet's own feed. From WVLT (Knoxville), October 28, 2026.