$700M Knox County Schools budget proposal includes additional $19.7M for staff
KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — Knox County Schools released their budget proposal totaling $700.5 million in spending, around 3.1% more than last year.
With an estimated 57,972 students, this equals about $12,083 per student. KCS predicts they will have around 500 fewer students in fiscal year 2026 than in 2025.
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The budget increase is smaller than in 2022 (6.7%), 2023 (9.1%) and 2024 (11.7%), although it is slightly larger than the increase in 2025 (2.8%). They explained that the revenue growth was 'anomalous' after the COVID-19 pandemic and that the new budget increase will bring them closer to pre-pandemic growth.
Most of the increase in the new budget — $19.7 million — will go to staff salaries and benefits. They said they are trying to maintain competitive pay rates and market-value wages. Salaries, wages, employee benefits and payroll taxes make up about 85% of the budget.
Salary increases were also included in the budget for the fiscal year 2025, bringing Knox County closer in line with a Tennessee law that requiring teachers to receive at least $50,000 annually.
The report explains that revenue was less than anticipated, so KCS made 'strategic reductions' equivalent to cutting 23.5 positions in the district office. This allowed them to 'focus dollars closest to students,' KCS explains. The budget also eliminates the Night Alternative Program, replacing it with virtual instruction.
Knox County Schools to vote on price increase for meals
Half the revenue for KCS comes from local sources including sales tax and property taxes, while 49% comes from state revenue and 1% from other sources. KCS is also voting on whether or not to raise the prices of school lunches which would provide about $895,000 in revenue.
The budget also includes a capital improvement plan with $18.5 million marked for facilities upgrades. This includes major HVAC system replacements for two schools, new cooling towers for four schools, a new gymnasium for Gresham Middle School (the current one having been built in the 1930s).
9148_FY26BudgetBook_Final_04.23.2025Download
In the report, KCS boasted that third through fifth grade reading proficiency has risen 9% while math increased 6% over the last three years. They also said that graduation rates rose from 89.7% to 93% over the same timeframe.
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They said that while the last three years were characterized by 'restructuring, reimagining, and innovating,' the new budget will be 'grounded in stability and predictability.'
The Board of Education are scheduled to vote on the budget on April 29 while the County Commission voting meeting is expected to be in May or June of 2025.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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