Knox County Schools looks at closures, job cuts to reduce costs

What This Story Is About Knox County Schools is looking at ways to balance its budget. At last week’s annual board workshop, district staff previewed several strategies. School Board member Brandy Jenkins said no closure plan exists and that the discussions are at the beginning.

The one action the district says it intends to take is a $4 million cut to district office spending through position reductions. Why It Matters Jenkins named Corryton, Gap Creek, Maynard and South Knoxville elementary schools as schools with fewer than 200 students that came up in the talks. Jenkins said smaller schools can cost KCS about $20,000 per student, compared with $8,000 to $9,000 at larger schools.

What Happens Next The school board meets Nov. 2. Jenkins said there is no timeline for decisions. Rysewyk said impacted district office staff will be notified before the Nov. 9 retirement incentive deadline.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Knox County Schools is looking at strategies to balance its budget, and School Board member Brandy Jenkins said closing smaller elementary schools was one idea discussed at last week’s annual board workshop. The school board discussed a list of ways to save money.

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