Posted 11:21 AM, July 26, 2025 and last updated 11:22 AM, July 26, 2025

Written by: Katerine Gerasimenko, TN Firefly

Editor's Note: This story has been updated from its original version to include the latest developments.

Knox County Schools (KCS) is preparing for a busy start to the 2025–26 school year, as officials implement major budget cuts and introduce new policies aimed at enhancing student focus and well-being.

The district has been forced to eliminate 27.5 central office jobs due to a recent freeze in federal funding that is impacting school systems across East Tennessee. The eliminated positions include regional academic facilitators, student support staff, and family liaisons. In a statement to the Tennessee Firefly, Executive Director of Communications Carly Harrington said the cuts were a "challenging but necessary step" needed to "preserve mission-critical services and supports for students and families.”

“All eliminated positions were federally funded and dependent on the receipt of funds to continue into the 2025‑26 school year,” Harrington said, adding that the district is working to place impacted employees in other open positions.

At the same time, the Knox County Board of Education is advancing a new, restrictive cell phone policy that would ban phone use across all grades during school hours. The move aligns with a new state law requiring all districts to have a plan for cell phone use, but the proposed all-day ban is stricter than many other districts are considering. Under the new plan, students would be required to keep their phones turned off and could only use them for emergencies.

The dual challenges highlight a period of adjustment for the district. Earlier this year, administrators presented a "stability" budget, but the unexpected freeze in federal dollars has required a shift in resources to protect the classroom and maintain focus on the district's four main priorities.

The proposed cell phone policy still requires a second vote before it goes into effect. The school board is expected to revisit the budget changes at an upcoming meeting, with the possibility that some of the eliminated positions could be reinstated if federal funding resumes.

Knox County Schools Cuts District Jobs and Tightens Cell Phone Policy Ahead of 2025–26 Year