Important Information

In the event of a discrepancy between any of the information contained in our orientation materials, the Employee Handbook and the Knox County Schools (KCS) Board Policy, the KCS Board Policy will govern. The purpose of this handbook is to provide information that will help with questions and pave the way for a successful career with the KCS. Suggestions for additions and improvements to this handbook are welcome and may be sent to the Human Resources Department. Any revised Employee Handbook supersedes and replaces all prior versions. Revisions will be posted on the Knox County Schools website and employees are responsible for becoming familiar with those revisions.

This handbook is neither an employment contract nor a substitute for the official KCS Board Policy; rather, it is a guide to and brief explanation of these policies. The handbook is not intended to alter the at-will status of employees in any way. The rights and responsibilities of the Knox County Schools’ employees may be found in Section G, “Human Resources – Staff Rights and Responsibilities.”

Board policies and procedures can change at any time. For more information, employees may refer to the policy codes that are associated with handbook topics, confer with their supervisor, or call the appropriate Central Office department. It is the employee’s responsibility to be knowledgeable of and adhere to all Board Policies and Procedures, including those not referenced herein. Updated versions of the KCS Board Policies can be found here.

Contacts

Employment and Hiring

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Opportunity for employment, as well as continuation and advancement in employment, shall be afforded equally to members of all races, creeds, colors, sexes, religions, ages, national origins, and individuals with disabilities or veteran status with regard only for qualifications for the positions involved. 

An individual desiring a position with the Board shall make application via method approved by the Director of Schools. Knowingly falsifying information shall be sufficient grounds for termination of employment and shall also constitute a Class A misdemeanor which must be reported to the District Attorney General for prosecution. In a continuing effort to further ensure the safety and welfare of students and staff, the district shall require criminal history records checks for all prospective employees. Policy G-290.

Job Postings and Applications

All positions for the Knox County Schools will be advertised on-line. The application process requires an online application submitted through Munis. External candidates and KCS employees must apply for the desired job posting following the directions found here: Online Application website

Criminal History Background Check

Knowingly falsifying information shall be sufficient grounds for termination of employment and shall also constitute a Class A misdemeanor. In a continuing effort to further the safety and welfare of students and staff, the KCS shall require criminal history record checks for all employees. Information shall be verified by fingerprint and a criminal history record check by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation or other sources as needed. Any costs incurred in conducting such investigations shall be paid by the applicant. Policy G-290. Knox County Schools will not accept screening results from any other school system.

Intentional misuse of Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) is strictly prohibited, and all allegations will be investigated. Use of CHRI for any purpose other than what is explicitly allowed by federal or state law constitutes misuse. If misuse is discovered through an investigation, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken, and the misuse shall be reported to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).

Additionally, in accordance with Tennessee’s “Wraparound Rule” (TCA § 49-5-413), any individual who has undergone a background check for employment in a school system is subject to continuous monitoring of their criminal history for a period of five years. Any new criminal charges that arise within this period may be flagged and reported to the school district. Misuse of information obtained through this continuous monitoring process, including unauthorized disclosure or use beyond employment decisions, is strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action.

Application for Known Vacancies

The following will apply to employees regarding known vacancies:

• Certified staff must have worked in the same school / position within the district for the previous two years to be eligible to apply for known vacancies and accept a new position.
• Employees who are temporary (due to late hire) or interim status are eligible to apply for known vacancies.
• Candidates who are on supply contracts or who are substitutes are eligible to apply for known vacancies
• Certified staff members are always eligible to apply for promotional opportunities.

Overtime Authorization and Pay

The school system shall comply with Wage and Hour Regulations as administered by the U.S. Department of Labor. Actual hours worked are to be reported by each employee. No employee shall be at the job location unless so directed by the immediate supervisor. 

A work week is a regularly recurring period of 168 consecutive hours. The standard work week for Knox County Schools employees shall begin at 12:00 a.m. Sunday and end at 11:59 p.m. on the following Saturday. Maintenance, security, and operations personnel shall have a work week that begins at 12:00 a.m. Wednesday and ends at 11:59 p.m. on the following Tuesday. 

Supervisors shall prepare a daily work schedule both for school and non-school months. The daily schedule includes the time to begin work, lunch time and ending time. Each employee is required to work according to his schedule unless there is an emergency. When an emergency arises, the immediate supervisor shall be notified as soon as possible.  

All authorized overtime or time-on-the-job-location not within the scheduled time must be approved by the immediate supervisor before the overtime occurs. Policy G-570

Overtime is defined as hours physically worked in excess of forty (40) hours per week. When an employee is requested to work over regularly scheduled hours, the following shall apply: 

1. Hours worked over the scheduled hours must be approved by the immediate supervisor.
2. Whenever possible, compensatory time off shall be used in preference to overtime pay.
3. All payment for overtime shall be processed through the payroll office.

If it is determined by the immediate supervisor that compensatory time cannot be granted within the forty (40) hour pay period or without severe disruption of the operation of the facility, overtime may be authorized. Time and one-half (1 1/2) shall be paid for all hours physically worked in excess of forty (40) in a week. An authorization for overtime payment must be submitted by the immediate supervisor. Payment for overtime will be included in the paycheck for the period immediately following the one in which it was earned. Policy G-571

Personnel Records

Upon being selected and approved for employment with the Knox County Schools, a personnel file is established. Information contained in the personnel file shall be limited to job-related matters. The following personnel records shall be maintained in the personnel file for all employees as appropriate:

1. Employee applications;
2. Professional certificates and other documents required by state and federal laws and regulations;
3. Evaluations and supporting documentation;
4. Commendations awarded by the Board of Education, Director of Schools, Supervisor or any state or national professional organization;
5. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Form I-9;
6. Disciplinary action, as appropriate, and any response from the employee.

Employee records (except medical records, college transcripts, fingerprint background checks and other security check information such as personal phone numbers and addresses) are public records. As such, any individual or agency including the news media may request access to a personnel file. However, a record of the person inspecting the file and the date of the inspection shall be kept, and the employee shall be notified of the request.

Employees may view the contents of his or her own personnel file which contains information pertaining to evaluations and other employment matters related to work history with the Knox County Schools by making an appointment with Human Resources. If an employee wants to receive a copy of his or her records, there is a nominal fee per page copied. Policy G-180; Procedure B-210.

Performance Evaluations

All classified employees, including Central Office employees, must be evaluated as described in Policy G-510. For current employees in their first year of employment or who may require an extended leave and are unavailable to work at least 120 days in a school year, the supervisor has the option to choose to evaluate or not to evaluate the classified employee. All classified employees will be evaluated using the appropriate Knox County Schools Online School-based Classified Evaluation Instruments. Annual evaluations are mandated by T.C.A. § 49-1-302, for all teachers and other school-based certified employees working 120 days or more. KCS has adopted the TIGER model for evaluations of certified employees. 

Evaluations shall be used to inform employees of their performance, as an aid in improving performance, and as a basis for making decisions regarding continuing employment. Evaluation reports shall be discussed with the evaluated employee. Policy G-350 and G-510.

Progressive Discipline

KCS generally follows a progressive discipline model and requires due process when dealing with issues of unsatisfactory employee performance. It is the expectation of each KCS employee to maintain the highest standards of personal conduct, integrity, and performance, and it is the goal of KCS to be fair and consistent with disciplinary issues of employees based upon well-established guidelines, procedures, and policies.

The steps involved include the following:

1. Oral Discussion / Verbal Warning – This is an informal conference during which there is initial discussion of behavior that does not meet performance expectations.
2. Formal Documented Discussion – This discussion is to be documented on a professional communication record (PCR–Form HR 149).  This discussion is intended to counsel and advise employees of best practices. The PCR documents issues discussed and follow-up / expectations going forward.
3. Conference of Concern – This is a formal conference documented in writing and may be placed in the employee’s personnel file. The behavior that is to be corrected is clearly identified during the conference and in writing. Follow-up expectations are included in the written document that is signed by the administrator, employee, and a witness.
4. Written Reprimand – This serves as a written sanction and admonishment of the employee and will be placed in the employee’s personnel file. A written reprimand may be given when the performance issue(s) persists after one or more conferences of concern have been issued and reasonable time to improve has been provided. However, if a first offense procedure violation is sufficiently severe to warrant it, a written reprimand may be issued.
5. Suspension / Demotion – Due to an employee’s continued disregard of prior notifications or due to the severity of the performance / behavior issue, punitive action may be taken by the Superintendent. Only the Superintendent may choose to suspend an employee with or without pay or demote an employee.
6. Dismissal – Termination is the final disciplinary action and typically taken after other options have been exhausted and the employee has been given due process. Only the Superintendent may dismiss an employee.

Please note that depending upon the degree and severity of employee misconduct or policy violation, he or she may be immediately recommended for punitive action, up to and including dismissal at the discretion of the Superintendent.

If a copy of the discipline is being sent to the Human Resources Personnel File, the employee should be informed in writing prior to signing the document.

Personnel Standards

Violations of Policies and Procedures

All employees are required to abide by Knox County Schools policies and procedures and all applicable laws and regulations. Suspected violations of policy and procedures will be investigated. Failure to abide by applicable policies, laws, and regulations, or engaging in actions which discredit Knox County Schools, may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

Code of Conduct

Disclosure of personal interest in voting matters -  An official or employee with the responsibility to vote on a measure shall disclose during the meeting and before the vote, any personal interest that affects or that would lead a reasonable person to infer that it affects the official's or employee's vote. This disclosure shall be recorded in the minutes. In addition, the official or employee may, to the extent allowed by law, recuse himself or herself from voting on the measure. Policy B-220

Disclosure of personal interest in non-voting matters - An official or employee who must exercise discretion relative to any matter other than casting a vote and who has a personal interest in the matter that affects or that would lead a reasonable person to infer that it affects the exercise of the discretion shall disclose, before the exercise of the discretion when possible, the interest on an official disclosure form and file the disclosure form with the school district's central office. In addition, the official or employee may, to the extent allowed by law, recuse himself or herself from the exercise of discretion in the matter. Policy B-220

Acceptance of gifts and other things of value - An official or employee, or an official's or employee's spouse or child living in the same household, may not accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, money, gratuity, or other consideration or favor of any kind from anyone other than the school district that a reasonable person would understand was intended to influence the vote, official action or judgment of the official or employee in executing decision-making authority affecting the school district.

It shall not be considered a violation of this policy for an official or employee to receive entertainment, food, refreshments, meals, health screenings, amenities, food, or beverages that are provided in connection with a conference sponsored by an established or recognized statewide association of school board officials or by an umbrella or affiliate organization of such statewide association of school board officials. Policy B-220

Misuse of public position - No public officer or county employee shall corruptly use or attempt to use his or her official position or any property or resource which may be within his or her trust or perform his or her official duties to secure a special privilege, benefit, or exemption for himself, herself or others. Policy B-220

Use of government property - No public official or employee shall make use of the facilities, equipment, personnel, or supplies of the Knox County Schools for private use or gain except to the extent that the use is incidental or minimal or is lawfully available to the general public. Policy B-220

Ethics Complaints - The Ethics Committee consisting of three members who will be appointed to one-year terms by the Chair of the Board of Education with confirmation by the full Board will review all ethics complaints. At least two members of the committee shall be members of the Board of Education.

Questions and complaints regarding violations of this Code of Ethics or of any violation of state law governing ethical conduct should be directed to the Chair of the Ethics Committee. Complaints shall be in writing and signed under oath by the person making the complaint and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts upon which the complaint is based.

The interpretation that a reasonable person in the circumstances would apply shall be used in interpreting and enforcing this Code of Ethics. When a violation of this Code of Ethics also constitutes a violation of a personnel policy or a civil service policy, the violation shall be dealt with as a violation of the policy or procedure rather than as a violation of this Code of Ethics. Any complaint brought pursuant to this policy must be filed with the Ethics Committee within one year of the alleged ethics code violation. Policy B-220

Community Associations and Political Activities

Employees have a right to express their views on any issue, but must in each case make clear that the view expressed is not the official view of the KCS.

Employees may, on their own time, campaign for or against any candidate or referendum, but they shall not use their classroom or system position as a political forum nor engage in any political promotion or solicitation during school hours. Employees who do not comply with these requirements shall be subject to disciplinary action.

Any employee who seeks an elective public office or appointment, and if serving in such elected office or appointment shall infringe upon his or her contractual agreement with the KCS, the employee shall present a proposed solution to the KCS Board of Education for consideration. The essential element to be determined is whether the activities proposed by the employee are consistent with his or her services to the school system and the best interests of education. Solicitation or advertising in any form by candidates for public office or political-oriented organizations (for example, issues on a public ballot) is not permitted. Political literature shall not be distributed through the school to students, nor sent home to parents, nor placed in teachers’ mailboxes, lounges, or on school premises. Policies G-150 and G-580.

Use of Technology

The district’s technology resources will be used only for learning, teaching, and administrative purposes consistent with the district’s mission and goals. Commercial use of the district’s system is strictly prohibited. Other issues applicable to acceptable use include:

1. Copyright – All users are expected to follow existing copyright laws, copies of which may be found in each campus library.
2. Supervision and Permission – Student use of computer and / or the computer network is only allowed when supervised or granted permission by a staff member.
3. Identity Theft – Attempting to log on or logging on to a computer or email system by using another’s password is prohibited. Assisting others in violating this procedure by sharing information or passwords is prohibited.
4. Improper use of any computer or the network is prohibited. This includes the following:
   • Use of racist, profane, or obscene language or materials
   • Using the network for financial gain, political or commercial activity
   • Attempting to or harming equipment, materials, or data
   • Attempting to or sending anonymous messages of any kind
   • Using the network to access inappropriate material
   • Knowingly placing a computer virus on a computer or the network
   • Using the network to provide addresses or other personal information that others may use inappropriately
   • Accessing of information resources, files, and documents of another user or a student without permission

Electronic mail (email) is a widely used technology resource that is available to employees as directed by his or her supervisor. General guidelines for email use include the following:

1. District email accounts should be used for all official email communications. Please avoid using personal email accounts for work-related purposes or work email accounts for personal use.
2. Security Responsibilities -
   • Usernames and passwords should be protected from unauthorized use at all times. Do not post any of this information where it may be viewed by others.
   • Usernames and passwords shall not be shared among staff members or with students
   • Passwords shall never be shared via email. All legitimate requests for this type of information must be requested in person.
3. Consequences of Improper Use – The district may suspend or revoke a system user’s access to the district’s system upon violation of policy and / administrative regulations regarding acceptable use. Termination of an employee’s account will be effective on the date the principal or department head receives notice of user withdrawal or of unethical use may also result in disciplinary actions consistent with existing Board of Education policies or procedures and, if appropriate, other local, state or federal laws. This may also require restitution for costs associated with system restoration, hardware, and software costs.
4. Confidentiality – The software and hardware that provides email capabilities to Knox County Schools’ employees have been publicly funded. For that reason, it should not be considered a private, personal form of communication. The contents of any communication of this type are public records. The district would have to abide and cooperate with any legal request to access email contents. As such, requests for personal information on students or staff members shall never be honored via email. It is critical for a personal contact to be made with any individual requesting personal information. This related particularly to any requests for student grades, discipline, attendance or related information. In addition, security information such as usernames or passwords should not be sent via email for any reason.
5. Network Etiquette - System users are expected to observe the following network etiquette (sometimes known as “netiquette”):
   • Be polite and use appropriate language: swearing, vulgarity, ethnic or racial slurs, and any other inflammatory or offensive language is prohibited.
   • Pretending to be someone else when sending / receiving messages is prohibited.
   • Transmitting obscene messages, pictures or videos is prohibited.
   • Revealing such personal information as addresses or phone numbers of users or others is prohibited.
6. Unsolicited Email - The Technology department should be notified if a user receives unsolicited email, particularly if it is of a “hate mail” or fraudulent nature. Every attempt will be made to track down the source of the email and steps will be taken to attempt to prevent the user from receiving additional unsolicited email. Procedure AP-I-220-1

Conflict of Interest

KCS employees shall not engage in, or have a financial interest in, any activity that raises a reasonable question of conflict of interest with their duties and responsibilities as members of the school staff. This includes but is not limited to the following:

• School employees may not purchase any goods or equipment for sale to students or render any service to the school system on a commission basis;
• Employees who have patented or copyrighted any device, publication, or other item shall not receive royalties for use of such item in the school system;
• Employees may not engage in any type of work where the source of information concerning a customer, client, or employer originates from information obtained through the school system;
• The Board of Education may not purchase supplies, materials, or equipment from a school system employee; and
• Employees shall not sell instructional supplies, equipment and reference books in a territory that includes the parents of the children of the school in which the employee is assigned. Policy G-160 

Moreover, the superintendent, members of the Board of Education, administrative, supervisory, or teaching personnel or other school officer shall have no financial interest, directly or indirectly, in supplying goods or other compensated services for the schools or to act as agent for any provided goods or services. This policy does not apply to the aforementioned personnel who author his or her own books. Policy C-170

Drug Free Workplace

Please see fully-detailed Policy G-210. 

The Knox County Board of Education and its employees share a commitment to create and maintain a drug-free workplace. The Knox County Board of Education is responsible for the instruction and well-being of the students entrusted to its care. The Board of Education declares that the use of illegal drugs, the abuse of alcohol, and the misuse of prescription drugs are prohibited.

The Knox County Board of Education is committed to a safe working environment, to making adequate provisions for the safety and health of its employees at their place of employment, and to the safety and health of students as well as the general public. The Board of Education believes that alcoholism and drug addiction are illnesses and should be treated as such. The Board further believes that employees who develop alcoholism or other drug addictions can be helped to recover and should be offered appropriate assistance. It is in the best interest of the employee and the Board of Education that when alcoholism or drug addiction is present, it should be diagnosed and treated at the earliest possible date. Confidential treatment of the diagnosis and recovery process for alcoholism or drug addiction is essential. See information on Employee Assistance Program for related information.

• Pre-Employment Testing - In the furtherance of achieving the Knox County Board of Education’s goal and objectives, all applicants being considered for employment positions identified as being safety-sensitive shall be required to submit to a urinalysis test for the detection of the illegal use of drugs. All applicants shall be given a copy of this policy in advance of the post-offer pre-employment physical.
• Reasonable Suspicion - If a supervisor reasonably suspects and reports to the Executive Director of Human Resources or authorized HR and/or Security designee and/or the Medical Review Officer that an employee’s work performance or on-the-job behavior may have been affected in any way by illegal drugs or alcohol or that an employee has otherwise violated the Drug-Free Workplace Substance Abuse Policy, the employee may be required to submit a breath and/or urine sample for drug and alcohol testing. An employee who is required to submit to drug / alcohol testing based upon reasonable suspicion and refuses shall be charged with insubordination, and necessary procedures will be taken to terminate the employee. Policy G-210

Outside/Secondary Employment

Employees shall be permitted to hold employment outside the school system so long as such activities do not (a) occur during the school day, or (b) interfere with regularly scheduled or appropriately assigned duties for the school system, or (c) reflect unfavorably on the school system. Policy G-160.  TN Code § 49-5-410

Smoking and Tobacco Use

Smoking is not allowed in any form at any time inside any school building or anywhere on school property. Smoking is not permitted inside areas such as maintenance shops and garages.

This policy on smoking shall be communicated to all existing employees and to all prospective employees upon their application of employment. "No Smoking" signs shall be clearly and conspicuously posted on Knox County Schools campuses. Policy G-211

Social Media

Social media has become an increasingly important part of the District’s ability to communicate with families, students, staff and the community. The purpose of this policy is to guide District employees in navigating the appropriate professional, educational and private use of social media as a communication and learning tool. Policy G-161

Professional Use of Social Media: Policy G-161

• Employees must follow all KCS policies when using social media for professional purposes.
• Any school-based social media account must be approved by a building-level supervisor, with designated district employees as account managers.
• Employees must not post personally identifiable student information (including photos and videos) without parent/guardian consent and must follow FERPA regulations.
• No expectation of privacy exists for employees using professional social media accounts. KCS supervisors may monitor these accounts.
• Employees must report inappropriate social media use to building administration.

Personal Use of Social Media: Policy G-161

• Employees must not communicate with current students via personal social media accounts (unless they are relatives).
• Employees cannot use school logos or conduct school business on personal accounts without written permission.
• Sharing confidential or student-identifiable information via personal social media is prohibited.
• Employees must obtain permission before tagging other district employees, volunteers, vendors, or contractors.

Complaints, Grievances, Harassment

Employee Complaints and Grievances

Policy G -130 provides the following definitions:

• Complaint: A complaint is a request for remedy or redress of a situation brought by an employee in regard to Board policy and any instances which do not meet the definition of a “grievance.”
• Grievance: A grievance is a request for the remedy or redress of a situation brought by an employee for which state or federal statute or regulation supplies a means of addressing the same with the employee’s employer through a formal grievance process.

The Board of Education believes that disagreements arising in the course of employment should be resolved as quickly as possible and at the lowest supervisory level.

In instances of questions by an individual staff member concerning the adherence to policies and procedures, administrative practices within his or her particular school, and relationships with other employees, the staff member concerned must consult the administrative or supervisory personnel to whom he or she reports. If a satisfactory resolution of the problem cannot be reached after ample opportunity for consideration of the matter, the staff member concerned may discuss the matter with the next level of supervision up to and including the Director of Schools.

In instances where an individual staff member feels he or she cannot discuss a problem with an immediate superior, the staff member may take the problem to the next level of supervision.

Should it become necessary, the Director of Schools may review a complaint and take action, and within a prompt, reasonable time shall notify all parties concerned of any decisions made regarding the complaint. Policy G-130

Grievances concerning employment statutes related to harassment, equal employment opportunity, or medical accommodations should be addressed as provided for in Board policies C-190 (Complaints under the Americans With Disabilities Act) and G-220 (Harassment of Employees). Policy G-130

Harassment of Employees

Knox County Schools do not discriminate in its programs or employment practices nor does it tolerate harassment for any reason including, but not limited to, harassment on the basis of age, actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, religion, race, color, genetics, veteran status or any other federally-identified protected area. Harassment by any employee will not be tolerated.

1. Harassment is defined as conduct, advances, gestures or words of a nature which:  Unreasonably interfere with an individual's work or performance;
2. Create an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment;
3. Imply that submission to such conduct is made an explicit or implicit term of employment; 
4. Imply that submission to or rejection of such conduct will be used as a basis for an employment decision affecting the harassed employee.

Victims of harassment should report these conditions to the appropriate school administrator, the Supervisor of Employee Relations, or the Office of the Superintendent. Schools. Inquiries concerning Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator. No reprisals or retaliation shall occur as a result of good faith reporting of charges of harassment and effort will be made to maintain confidentiality.
Any employee found to have engaged in harassment shall be subject to sanctions, including, but not limited to, warning, suspension, or termination. Policy G-220

Sexual Harassment and Sex-Based Discrimination

Knox County Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education programs and activities. The purpose of this policy is to prohibit sexual harassment and sex-based discrimination and outline guidelines for identifying, addressing, and disciplining sexual harassment and sex-based discrimination. A complete list of definitions as defined by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 can be found in Policy C-260. 

Alleged victims of sexual harassment or sex-based discrimination, or their parents or legal guardians, shall report these incidents immediately to the Principal, building level administrator, or Title IX Coordinator. Any reports made to staff should be forwarded to the Principal or building level administrator immediately but no later than 24 hours of the expressed concern. Anonymous reports may be made; however, disciplinary action may not be based solely on an anonymous report. Formal complaints of sexual harassment may be filed with the Title IX Coordinator in person, via mail, or email at titleix@knoxschools.org, or by visiting http://www.knoxschools.org/titleix and completing the online Title IX incident report form.

Any employee or member of the board of education who has knowledge of sexual harassment or allegations of sexual harassment occurring in the education program, any activity of the school system, or the work environment must report that information immediately to the Title IX Coordinator. Policy C-260

Evaluation Grievance

Through the evaluation grievance procedure, principals, teachers, and other school-based certified positions may challenge the following, relative to their evaluation

1. Accuracy of the data
2. Adherence to the evaluation policies adopted by the State Board of Education
   Minor procedural errors in implementing the evaluation model shall be resolved at the lowest possible step in the grievance procedure but shall not constitute grounds for challenging the final results of an evaluation. Minor procedural errors shall be defined as errors that do not materially affect or compromise the integrity of the evaluation results.

Teachers or principals may submit a grievance regarding the accuracy of performance evaluation data and/or the adherence to the performance evaluation policies adopted by the State Board of Education. Any grievance of this nature shall be addressed as provided for in a procedure developed by the Director of Schools which will comport with regulatory guidance adopted by the State Board of Education establishing the local board of education as the final appeal authority in this matter. More information on the evaluation grievance process can be found here.

The Board of Education shall serve as the final step for all grievances. Policy G-130; Procedure G-130.

Employee Relationships

Nepotism

A principal and a family member of first-degree affinity or consanguinity shall not be assigned to the same school.  

Relatives may be assigned to the same school where neither is a principal, upon the recommendation of the principal and the Director of Schools. No employee shall be under the immediate supervision of a member of the employee’s immediate family, including a wife or husband, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, brother, sister, mother-in-law, father in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law.  

The Director of Schools may take prompt action if an actual or potential conflict of interest arises involving relatives or individuals involved in a dating relationship who occupy positions at any level (higher or lower) in the same line of authority that may affect the review of employment decisions.  

If a relative relationship is established after employment between employees who are in a reporting situation described above, it is the responsibility and obligation of the supervisor involved in the relationship to disclose the existence of the relationship to the director of schools or his or her designee.  

In other cases where a conflict or the potential for conflict arises because of the relationship between employees, even if there is no line of authority or reporting involved, the employees may be separated by reassignment or disciplinary action may be taken as appropriate. Employees in a close personal relationship should refrain from public workplace displays of affection and/or excessive personal conversation. Policy G-162

Student-Staff Relationships

Staff members shall use good judgment in their relationships with students beyond their work responsibilities and/or outside the school setting and shall avoid excessive informal and social involvement with individual students. Romantic, amorous or sexual relationships, and romantic,  amorous or sexual comments or communications in any form between employees and students are strictly prohibited. This includes unprofessional and inappropriate communication.

Examples of unprofessional and inappropriate communications include, but are not limited to:

1. Employees fraternizing or communicating with students in a peer to peer or unduly familiar manner;
2. Writing personal letters, emailing, texting, contacting through social media, or calling student on their cell phones about subject matter that is beyond the scope of their professional relationship;
3. Sending suggestive, lewd or indecent pictures or images to students;
4. Discussing or revealing inappropriate aspects of private lives to students or inviting students to do the same; being overly familiar, and
5. Engaging in unnecessary and/or non-curricular dialogue concerning topics of a sexual nature

Employees must guard against associations with students that are outside the normal scope of employment and appropriate educator / student relationship. Employees engaging in such inappropriate conduct will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal. Any extenuating circumstances will be dealt with on an individual basis by the supervisor and / or superintendent. Employees who have reason to believe that another employee is inappropriately involved with a student, as described above, are obligated to report this information to their principal, supervisor, or a human resources supervisor. Policy G-140. 

Compensation

Automatic Payroll Deposit

The KCS pays its employees via electronic disbursement.  Forms are available in the Compensation Department or at the Compensation Forms List.  In addition, all paystubs are provided electronically through the Employee Self Service (ESS) website.  Password and ID information is provided at the employee orientation conducted by the KCS for all new employees. 

Base Salary Schedules

Base salary schedules for all Certified and Classified employees are published on KCS Help, here. Annual base salary will be determined in alignment with most recent compensation study completed in 2024.

As a reminder, if you are overdrawn on leave days or if you fail to complete professional development requirements, your pay will be docked.  As a result, your retirement service credit may be affected.

Strategic Compensation

Strategic compensation aligns district programs, classroom instruction and compensation systems with the goals of increasing educator effectiveness and maximizing student achievement. It incentivizes certain actions or activities and rewards specific desired outcomes. Strategic compensation may entail pay, benefits, direct and indirect compensation, immediate and deferred compensation, and other monetary or non-monetary incentives. Policy G-270

Signing Bonus

A $5000 signing bonus will be offered to new employees hired in identified hard to staff subject areas. A $7000 signing bonus will be offered to new employees hired in Special Education, to be paid out over a three (3) year span.

Employees hired on or before January 31 of the current school year will receive the signing bonus. Employees hired after January 31 of a school year will NOT receive the signing bonus, but will be eligible for the bonus if rehired in  a critical needs subject area for the next school year.

Identified hard to staff subject areas for the 2024-2025 school year:

• Science - Chemistry or Physics only
• Speech and Language Pathologists
• School Psychologists
• Hearing Specialists
• Vision Specialists
• Audiologists
• Advanced Mathematics (Algebra II, Geometry, Statistics,  Pre -Calculus, and Calculus)
• English Language Learners (ELL)
• World Languages
• Other areas designated and approved by the Superintendent

Additional eligibility guidelines are as follows:

• Employees hired in an interim position are not eligible
• Only employees hired in full time and regular positions are eligible
• Employee must be fully certified / endorsed in the subject area, and possess a valid Tennessee license
• Employees who were in a temporary position during the 2023-2024 school year and were reappointed in a regular position to teach in a hard to staff subject area for the 2024-2025 school year are eligible for the signing bonus
• Employees who resign from the system and who choose to return are not eligible
• Employees who have received the bonus incentive and who resign from the system and choose to return are not eligible
• The bonus amount is stated in gross amounts and shall be subject to all applicable taxes (payment is taxed as a bonus at a 22% withholding rate), other normal payroll deductions and any other amounts required by law to be withheld
• Employee must sign a contractual agreement adhering to the terms noted above
• Employee must commit to work for Knox County Schools for three years
• If the employee leaves the system before fulfilling the three-year commitment, he / she will be required to reimburse the system based on a pro-rated basis (i.e., one year remaining - reimburse $1650; two years remaining - reimburse $3300, etc.) unless Knox County schools chooses to terminate / separate employment

The eligibility criteria are board guidelines developed by Knox County Schools Human Resources Department to assist with implementation and organizational decisions. The criteria detailed therein is an attempt to address how the program guidelines should be applied. It is not possible to address every situation or circumstance under these guidelines; therefore, the administration reserves the right to amend and / or make decisions regarding this benefit on an as needed basis. Knox County Schools will make every effort to ensure that all employees are treated fairly and equitably. Please contact the Human Resources Department regarding any questions about the Signing Bonus Eligibility Program. In the event that the number of employees eligible for the bonus exceeds the allocated amount, the final determination of which employees will receive the bonus will be based on the eligible employees’ hire dates.

Employee Types

• Certified - Certified employees are employees who hold a license issued by the Tennessee Department of Education or who are credentialed to teach in the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps by a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. Certified staff members require a valid professional license based on training that covers the subjects or grades taught and/or a specialty service area (e.g. guidance counselor) in accordance with rules and regulations of the State Board of Education. Policy G-230
• Certified Time Card - Certified timecards are used for any certificated personnel working in a part-time certified position. This includes retirees, tutors, or retired teachers filling in for an employee who is absent for an extended period of time. Teachers providing instruction during their plan time for a hard to staff subject also report their time via timecard.
• Classified - Classified staff members’ employment status does not require certification in accordance with rules and regulations of the Tennessee Department of Education. Classified personnel may include the following employees: bookkeepers, secretaries, clerks, maintenance employees, custodial employees, cafeteria employees, instructional assistants, transportation employees and security guards, as well as many central office administrative services positions and Time Card (part-time). Policy G-230
• Substitute - Substitutes work as a replacement resulting from any short-term absence for food service, custodial, teaching, educational assistant, or secretary positions. Substitutes are not eligible for benefits or participation in the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System regardless of hours worked per week. However, substitutes can choose to participate in the 403B or 457 retirement plan that is available through a third-party vendor (please contact Employee Benefits for more information). A substitute may only work up to 19 consecutive days for the same employee absence and are paid at the substitute daily rate. If the position requires more than 19 consecutive days, it is categorized as a supply, interim, or temporary position as appropriate. Policy G-470
• Supply - These employees work between 15-89 consecutive days in the same teaching position and are paid at the supply daily rate. Supply teachers work in-service days, are not eligible for health, dental, life or vision benefits, and must be certified and endorsed in the area taught. The supply teacher is treated like a regular teacher for absence reporting and payroll purposes. If the supply teacher is absent, it should be reported as a regular teacher absence and requires a substitute. Classified positions such as food service, custodial, teaching assistant, and secretary positions may also be designated as supply.
• Interim - Interim employees work 90 or more days and hold a position for a teacher or employee who is on leave. For teaching and other certified positions, interim employees are paid based on degree and experience just like regular, certified staff. Interim employees must be applicants for regular teaching and certified positions, but they do not have to be on the substitute list. Interim teachers are treated like regular teachers for absence reporting and payroll purposes.
  • Interim employees may choose to accept or reject participation in the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System. However, if working at least 30 hours per week, interim employees are eligible for all other benefits.
  • Interim employees have no guarantee of a position beyond the time that the original employee is on leave or the end of the current school year. If the original employee resigns during the current school year, the principal then has the option to post the vacancy and submit a Request to Hire or submit an HR-119 to HR if they wish to continue the current interim employee until the end of the school year. At the end of the school year, the principal can reappoint the current employee or post the vacancy.
  • Classified positions such as food service, custodial, teaching assistant, and secretary positions may also be designated as interim.
• Temporary - Temporary employees fill teaching positions and are paid based on degree and experience. Temporary teachers are treated like a regular teacher for absence reporting and payroll purposes. A temporary teacher is hired for a position for which no other person has a claim (resignation, retirement, new position). This position has no guarantee beyond the specified time or current school year. To obtain a position for a future year, the temporary teacher must submit a new application and be selected through the regular hiring process.
  • Typically, if a new position is created after classes start, the position is filled on a temporary basis. When an employee who is on leave of absence decides to resign, the person filling that position becomes a temporary employee at the time the original employee resigns. If working at least 30 hours per week, this employee is entitled to all eligible benefits.
  • Classified positions such as food service, custodial, teaching assistant, and secretary positions may also be designated as temporary.

Payroll

Regular monthly payroll checks are deposited on the 25th of each month, or the last working day prior to the 25th. Maintenance and food service personnel are paid bi-weekly every other Friday. Direct deposit changes must be received in the Compensation department by the close of business on the 5th day of the month. Payroll deduction changes must be submitted to the appropriate department, Employee Benefits or Compensation. The change will be reflected the following month, provided all proper documentation is submitted with the change request. Written requests for payroll changes such as name and address must be received in the Human Resources office by the end of the workday on the 25th of the month.

Payroll Deductions

Mandatory deductions from gross pay include Social Security, Medicare, federal income tax withholding, retirement contribution, court-ordered garnishment, and IRS levies.

Employees who are absent without leave or take administrative leave without pay shall have their pay deducted by the amount of daily rate of pay for each day absent. This deduction shall occur at the time the information is processed; it cannot be spread over the remainder of the year. If the amount is greater than a month’s wages, the deduction will occur monthly until the value of the overdrawn leave is recovered.

Benefits

The school system offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. New employees have 31 days from their hire date to select their benefits options. All eligible employees can make changes to existing or add new benefit plans during the annual Open Enrollment period held each fall. Below is brief information on benefits that are available to employees. For more details, please visit www.knoxschools.org/benefits.

Health Insurance

KCS’s Health Insurance Program is administered by the Benefits Administration, a division of the department of Finance and Administration of State of Tennessee. Currently there are two carriers and several different plans. The carriers are Blue Cross/Blue Shield and CIGNA, with three different networks: BCBS Network S, Cigna Local Plus, and Cigna Open Access Plus. There is a premier plan, a standard plan, a limited plan and a consumer driven healthcare plan for each carrier and network. Employees may choose the program that best meets his/her needs.

There are six different rates: (1) employee only; (2) employee plus child or children; (3) employee plus spouse; (4) two employee coverage, (5) family coverage; or (6) two employee family coverage. A portion of the health insurance is paid by KCS. Employees on unpaid leave of absence are responsible for both the employee’s portion and the Knox County School’s portion of health care premiums. Employees eligible under the Family and Medical Leave Act are eligible to continue paying only the employee premium for their FMLA period. Employees who retire may continue health insurance coverage if eligibility requirements are met. Employees whose health insurance is terminated for other reasons, or covered dependents of employees whose health insurance is terminated, may continue coverage for a limited period under COBRA.

The Employee Benefits office can provide details regarding coverage and premiums. Please visit their website for more information or by calling the Employee Benefits office.

Employee Assistance Program

If an employee participates in a health plan through the Knox County Schools, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is included in that plan. The program is administered by the State of Tennessee via Optum. The EAP provides confidential counseling and other services for such issues as: marital conflict; alcohol or drug dependency; family or parenting issues; stress management; self-improvement; and grief or loss counseling, etc. Please see http://www.Here4TN.com or call 855-437-3486 for additional information.

Dental Insurance

Employees must work at least 120 hours a month to be eligible for dental insurance. Employees have the option of participating in a dental insurance plan. Premiums are paid one month in advance. Dental Insurance is available for eligible employees, their spouses and dependent children. The Dental Insurance plan provides benefits for Preventive, Basic, Major and Orthodontic procedures. Benefits are provided through Delta Dental for both in-network and out- of-network providers and procedures. There is no waiting period for coverage under the plan. Knox County Schools pays four dollars per month towards the premium. There are four different rates: (1) employee only; (2) employee plus one; (3) family; and (4) two employee families. There is an open enrollment period each year for coverage beginning on January 1 the following year.

Please call the Employee Benefits department for additional information or access them via the website, https://www.knoxschools.org/benefits. 

Vision Insurance

Vision insurance is available for eligible employees working at least 120 hours per month, as well as their spouses and dependent children. Benefits are provided through EyeMed. Benefits are available for both in-network and out-of-network providers and procedures. The employee pays 100% of the premiums. There are three different rates: (1) employee only; (2) employee plus one; and (3) family. There is an open enrollment each year for coverage beginning January 1 the following year.

Basic Group Term Life Insurance

Life insurance is provided free to all active, regular employees who work 18.5 hours or more per week. The coverage amount is 1.5 times the employee’s annual salary. However, the minimum coverage amount is $20,000 and the maximum coverage amount is $50,000. KCS also offers Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit coverage which pays only in the event of such.

Employees that separate from KCS may continue to carry term life coverage by converting to a whole life policy and paying 100% of the premium.

Supplemental Group Term Life

Supplemental Life Insurance is available for eligible employees at group rates. Spousal and children’s coverage is also available. Supplemental GTL Insurance is offered without health screening when an employee is hired if the paperwork is received within 31 days of the hire date. If it is refused at that time, and the employee later seeks to enroll, proof of insurability will be required. A maximum of $150,000.00 of additional coverage is available for the employee. An employee can also sign up for $30,000.00 of spouse coverage or $5,000.00 of child coverage within 31 days of their hire date. Child coverage cannot begin until the child is over 14 days old and ends at age 26 unless the child is disabled.

Flexible Benefits - Section 125

The Internal Revenue Service, under Section 125 of the IRS Code, authorizes flexible benefits. The tax code allows employees to pay for certain benefits with pre-tax dollars. There are three types of flexible benefits that the Knox County Schools offers: Premium Conversion, Medical Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, and Dependent Care.

Premium Conversion

Knox County employees who participate in the health, vision or dental insurance plans offered by the system are required to participate in premium conversion. Employees can also have some supplemental insurance premiums taken out pre-tax.

Medical Flexible Spending Account

The Internal Revenue Service authorizes flexible spending accounts. These tax codes allow employees to pay for certain benefits with pre-tax dollars. A Medical Flexible Spending Account (MFSA) is available for eligible employees, spouses, and dependent children. A MFSA is not insurance, but rather a way to pay for certain qualified, non-reimbursed medical expenses in a pre-tax salary reduction. The amount which can be placed in an MFSA each year may be limited by the Internal Revenue Service, but may not exceed the annual maximum established by the school system. $500 can be rolled from one year to the next. Any monies placed in an MFSA against which qualified expenditures cannot be filed above the $500 amount are forfeited according to Federal Law. The employee contributes 100% to the MFSA. Please call the Benefits & Employee Relations department or access information and forms via the website at https://www.knoxschools.org/benefits. 

Health Savings Accounts

Employees that have selected the Health Savings CDHP qualify for a health savings account. KCS will make quarterly deposits into this account on behalf of the employee. These amounts will vary depending on the coverage level the employee has selected (Employee only, Employee plus spouse, etc.). Employees may also elect to defer pretax money into this account. The entire account balance will rollover from one year to the next with interest.

Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

A Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA) is available for eligible employees, spouses and dependent children. A DCFSA is not insurance, but rather a way to pay for certain qualified dependent care expenses in a pre-tax salary reduction. The amount which can be placed in a DCFSA each year may be limited by the Internal Revenue Service, but may not exceed the annual maximum established by the school system. Any monies placed in a DCFSA against which qualified expenditures cannot be filed are forfeited according to Federal Law. A DCFSA cannot be used if claiming a Dependent Child Credit on a Federal Income Tax return for that year (please consult a tax professional for specific details). The employee contributes 100% to the DCFSA.

Tax Deferred Investments

Current IRS regulations allow employees to participate in tax deferred investments under Sections 403(b) and 457(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (commonly known as 403(b)/457 plans), if the employee qualifies. TCRS members may also contribute to the State’s 401(k) plan through Empower. All employees of Knox County Schools, whether regular or temporary (full-time or part-time, regardless of work schedule), are eligible to participate provided that contributions are made from the employee’s wages and they have not applied for a hardship withdrawal during the period set out by the IRS. Please call the Benefits & Employee Relations department or access them via the website, www.knoxschools.org/benefits, for additional information.

Tuition Assistance

KCS supports employees who wish to take coursework that is relevant to the employee seeking certification and/or additional endorsement in an approved critical needs subject area. In keeping with this philosophy, KCS has established a tuition assistance program for expenses incurred through approved institutions of learning. Full-time regular employees, certified or non- certified, employed with Knox County Schools three years or more, will be eligible for participation in the tuition program as long as the courses lead to certification or endorsement in an approved critical needs subject area as determined by the Executive Director of Human Resources.

To receive this benefit, employees must be employed by KCS, at the beginning of the course, the end of the course, and at the time of reimbursement. KCS will reimburse up to a maximum of $1,200 per course or $2,400 per academic school year for tuition expenses incurred by an employee for continuing education through an accredited program. The employee must secure a minimum passing grade of a "B" or its equivalent to receive a reimbursement. Expenses must be validated by receipts and a copy of the final grade or transcript.

Employees receiving the benefit and obtaining additional certification(s) or endorsement(s) are required to teach a minimum of three years in the subject area for which the employee received the tuition assistance. Should the employee resign or otherwise voluntarily leave employment with KCS prior to completion of his/her program of coursework, the tuition assistance benefit ends and all tuition assistance funds accepted by the employee up to that point must be repaid. If the employee resigns or otherwise voluntarily leaves employment with the KCS within three years or less from the date of completion of his or her coursework and his or her receipt of additional certification or endorsement, repayment of all tuition assistance shall be required of the employee. However, if the Board of Education is unable to offer the employee a position in the area of the newly obtained licensure, the employee shall not be required to repay the tuition assistance funds.

If funds are not sufficient for all requests, a determination for tuition assistance will be based on the school system's critical needs. The Executive Director of Human Resources reserves the right to make decisions regarding this benefit on a case by case basis and will make every effort to ensure that all employees are treated fairly and equitably. Please contact the Human Resources Department for more information regarding the Tuition Assistance Program. Policy G-320; Form HR-146ABC

Retirement Accounts / Pension

All regular Classified employees who work 18.5 hours per week belong to the Knox County Retirement and Pension System. The retirement plan is a 401(a) Asset Accumulation Plan. This plan is a defined contribution plan, not a defined benefit plan. There is a mandatory 6% pre-tax contribution. This contribution is matched dollar-for-dollar or a full 100% match. Employees are vested in those matching contributions at a rate of 20% each year of service. As such, employees are vested 100% after five years. Employees are always 100% vested in the employee contributions. All employees who were hired after 1991 are in the Asset Accumulation Plan. Prior to a 1991 hire date, classified employees could be members of a closed defined benefit plan. For detailed information, visit the Knox County Retirement and Pension Office web site at http://www.knoxcounty.org/retirement/. 

Certified employees who are in a regular or temporary full-time position are enrolled in one of two mandatory plans sponsored by the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) of the State of Tennessee. Employees who are part-time or in an interim position can choose to participate in the TCRS retirement plan.

The two retirement plans provided by TCRS are the Legacy and the Hybrid plans. The Legacy plan is reserved for teachers that have had a least one (1) year of service with a TCRS organization as a teacher prior to July 1, 2014. The plan requires a mandatory 5% pre-tax contribution. The Defined Benefit plan guarantees a monthly benefit which is based on a member’s five highest years of consecutive earnings and service. The benefit is payable for the life of the member and when applicable, transferable to a member’s spouse or beneficiary(ies).

• A Defined Benefit retirement plan relieves members of the burden of making investment decisions and assuming the risk associated with those decisions. Unlike an IRA or 401K account, a TCRS retirement benefit is not impacted by stock market performance. The State of Tennessee guarantees TCRS members will receive retirement income for life.
• The Hybrid plan is reserved for teachers hired after July 1, 2014 that do not have at least a year of prior service with a TCRS organization as a teacher. The Hybrid Plan provides a combination of a defined benefit plan and a defined contribution plan. The defined benefit portion of the Hybrid Plan will be managed by TCRS. The defined contribution assets will be deposited into the state’s 401(k) plan where teachers will manage the investments with the 401(k) plan. This plan requires a 5% contribution of salary to the defined benefit portion of the Hybrid Plan.

Also, with both plans, a TCRS retirement benefit can be passed to a beneficiary at a member’s death, and the beneficiary continues to receive this income until his or her death depending on the benefit option a retiree chooses. For detailed information, visit the TCRS web site at http://treasury.tn.gov/tcrs/. 

Employee Welfare

Inclement Weather

From time to time it is necessary to delay or cancel classes across the school system due to poor road or school access conditions that have been caused by inclement weather such as rain or snow.

The Superintendent of Schools is the only person who may make the decision to close school for any reason. The intent is to make the decision as early as possible to allow parents time to make appropriate arrangements. In the event that the decision to cancel school or delay school must be made in the early morning hours, this decision should be made prior to 5:00 a.m. if at all possible. As soon as the decision to close schools is made, the Superintendent will use all means available to inform the public including news media, internet, email, text and mass telephone notification. When all schools in the system are closed, the Superintendent will determine whether the Central Office and other support offices staff shall report to work.

When school is released early due to weather, the Central Office and all school offices will remain open and operational until it is reasonably confirmed that all students have safely reached their homes or have been picked up by their parents or guardian. If school is not in session or is dismissed early due to inclement weather, all scheduled activities in which students are involved will generally be postponed or canceled. Principals will ensure that school phones and 800 MHz radios are manned. No school will cease operation or decide to close until the principal reports to the Superintendent’s Office and receives permission to do so from the Superintendent, or until a system-wide decision has been made and communicated. Policy A-141 

Reasonable Accommodations

Knox County Schools (KCS) is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state laws. Procedure G-420-1

• Requesting an Accommodation
  • Employees seeking a reasonable accommodation should meet with their direct supervisor to discuss their request.
  • The supervisor will contact the ADA Coordinator to determine whether the request qualifies under the ADA and what accommodations may be appropriate.
  • Employees may be required to sign a release of medical information to allow their physician to provide documentation of any job-related limitations.
  • KCS will provide the employee’s job description to the physician to assess their ability to perform essential job functions.
  • The physician will complete Form HR-155, outlining any limitations and necessary accommodations.
• Determining Accommodations
  • A meeting will be held to review the request, involving key personnel 
  • The team will determine what accommodations can be reasonably made, in compliance with federal and state laws. Consultation with the EEOC and Job Accommodation Network may be used to develop individualized accommodations.
  • Any agreed-upon accommodations will be documented by the ADA Coordinator or appropriate supervisor.
  • If necessary, the team will periodically review and adjust accommodations to ensure their continued effectiveness.
• Compliance & Reporting
• Misuse or discrimination related to accommodations will be investigated in accordance with KCS policies.
• If an employee believes they have been denied a reasonable accommodation or have faced discrimination, they may file a complaint with their supervisor, the ADA Coordinator, or the Director of Schools. If unresolved, appeals may be made to the Board of Education in accordance with Policy C-190.

Safety

All staff members shall report current and potential hazards to their immediate supervisors. At each school, the principal shall develop procedures for keeping school facilities safe and free from hazards. Each site’s safety program will include: fire prevention; accident prevention; uniform system of warning signals; emergency drills such as, but not limited to, fire, school bus evacuation, severe weather, earthquake, bomb threat and intruders; emergency closings; traffic safety; traffic and parking controls; safety inspections; first aid; disaster preparedness plan for major emergencies.

Only persons with lawful and valid business on the school/site premises shall enter onto the grounds or into the buildings. All staff members shall report to the principal all persons appearing to be improperly on school premises. School security and/or law enforcement officials should be engaged, if necessary, to maintain order or security. Policy E-120

Workers' Compensation

The Board previously elected to engage Knox County to provide workers’ compensation coverage and administer claims on behalf of Knox County Schools’ classified and certified employees by an agreement adopted in 2016. Workers’ compensation benefits shall be administered in accordance with Tennessee law.

Knox County Schools and Knox County shall designate a medical panel of three (3) or more independent reputable physicians, surgeons, chiropractors, or specialty practice groups if available in injured employee’s community or, if not so available, in accordance with Tennessee law, from which the injured employee shall select one (1) to be the treating physician.  

This policy is not intended to supersede or modify the procedures applicable to employees eligible for reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or leave benefits under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Inquiries about the ADA or FMLA should be directed to the human resources department (HR).  

Knox County Schools defines “transitional work” as temporary, modified work assignments within the worker’s physical abilities, knowledge, and skills as determined by the treating physician. When possible, transitional positions will be made available to injured workers to minimize or eliminate time lost from work. Knox County Schools cannot guarantee a transitional position and is under no obligation to offer, create or encumber any specific position for purposes of offering placement to such a position.  

In the event an employee refuses transitional work, the employee will not be eligible for continuing temporary total disability benefits beyond the date of the Schools’ “transitional work” offer. If the employee refuses transitional work, the employee must use sick or other available leave. Policy E-201

Sick Leave Bank

KCS maintains separate Sick Leave Banks for Certified and Classified employees. Both the Certified and Classified Sick Leave Bank provide additional sick leave days to contributors who have suffered a major personal illness, injury, disability or quarantine and whose personal leave, sick leave and vacation leave has been exhausted. Regular employees who are entitled to sick leave are eligible to participate. To join the Sick Leave Bank, an employee must deposit three (3) sick leave days during the open enrollment period; then agree to assessments of 1-3 days at designated times, as determined by the Sick Leave Bank Trustee Board. Participation is voluntary, and employees must request and complete appropriate forms to join and/or access the Sick Leave Bank.

• Classified employees can apply to utilize days from the Sick Leave Bank after a minimum of 30 days of membership. Sick bank days cannot be granted during the first year of enrollment for any illness diagnosed or in existence within the previous twelve (12) months. There is a 15 consecutive day waiting period after the diagnosis before the sick leave bank can be used. The maximum number of days in a calendar year that classified employees can use the Sick Leave Bank is 60 days. However, there is a maximum of 90 days total that can be used for one illness or occurrence.
• Certified employee Sick Leave Bank rules and regulations are detailed in State law TCA §49-5-801 – 810. The maximum number of days in a calendar year that certified employees can use the Sick Leave Bank is 60 days. However, there is a maximum of 90 days total that can be used for one illness of one occurrence.

Please contact the Employee Benefits Office at 865-594-1686 for more detailed information on the Sick Leave Bank. 

Attendance

Court Appearances

If an employee appears in court because of a personal interest, whether as a plaintiff, defendant or witness or voluntarily appears on behalf of family or friends, or if an employee is required to appear in court either as a defendant or plaintiff in a civil case, personal leave or leave without pay will be granted in accordance with the established board policies on leaves. Policy G-460; G-590

Family and Medical Leave

The federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) entitles employees to take reasonable leave for medical concerns, for the birth or adoption of a child, and for the care of a child, spouse, or parent who has a serious health condition. Anyone who has been employed for at least 12 months by the Board of Education and has worked at least 1,250 hours during the previous twelve-month period is eligible for FMLA. The school system will continue to make the board’s contribution to the employee’s health, dental and life insurance during FMLA leave for up to twelve (12) weeks. The employee is also guaranteed the same or similar employment if he or she returns to work within one year from the start of the FMLA leave. Leave and leave extensions shall not exceed a total of two consecutive years. Policy G-464; G-463; G-590. 

Child Care and Maternity Leave

Any employee may take a child care leave. The child must be two years of age or younger, and proof of age may be required.

The request must be in writing at least 30 days prior to the leave and specify the dates of departure and return, to the extent which these dates are known. The supervisor must submit the proper form and request to the Human Resources Department. Sick leave may be used during physical disability only as determined by the physician. Otherwise, child care leave shall be unpaid leave.

For adoption purposes, sick leave may be used for a period of up to thirty (30) days. A copy of supporting documentation from the adoption agency must be provided. In the event that both adoptive parents are employees of KCS, only one employee may use this time.

Leave and leave extensions shall not exceed a total of two consecutive years. Policy G-464; G-463; G-590. 

Vacation and Holiday Leave

Full-time employees on twelve-month assignments earn vacation days at the rate of one per month plus one day per year worked for Knox County up to a total of eight (8) days for years of service within Knox County for a possible total of twenty (20) days. No more than twenty (20) vacation days can be carried over from year to year. Accumulated days plus days to be earned for the year will be advanced and credited to the employees on July 1^st of each year. The Superintendent (or his designee) and immediate supervisor must approve the time of vacation.

Employees working a ten-month assignment will earn ten (10) vacation days at the rate of one for every nineteen (19) days worked. These days are built into the annual calendar for the employee.

Employees have holiday leave as defined in Board of Education policy. Policy G-462; G-591. 

Military Leave

Employees who are members of any reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States shall be granted leave of absence for all periods of military service during which they are engaged in the performance of duty or training in the service of the state or the United States. Employees who are reservists and anticipate military duty during the school year must give written notice to the Director of Schools, within thirty (30) days of the beginning of the school year, of the dates of the anticipated duty. Employees should give such notice to their immediate supervisor.

While performing such duty or training, the employee shall be paid his regular salary up to a maximum of thirty (30) working days in any one (1) calendar year, plus such additional days as may result from any call to active state duty. An employee called to active duty by the Governor to enforce the laws of the state shall be paid his regular salary for such time as he is engaged in the performance of his duty, and any time spent in active state duty shall not count against the fifteen-day period of leave allowed for military service.
Request for leaves and extension of leaves shall conform to state law and the Board of Education policy governing all leaves of absence. Failure to comply with applicable laws and policies shall constitute grounds for dismissal.

The employee must supply a copy of the orders for duty, including the dates of departure and return it to the Director of Schools prior to, or simultaneous with, requesting leave. Policy G-465; G-463; G-590. 

Jury Duty

Employees called for jury duty shall:

• Complete a jury duty request via Frontline
• Submit summons to appear in court to the building level administrator

KCS pays regular employee wages for the days served on jury duty. However, it is required that employees refund any payment for jury duty received from the Knox County courts less any expenses incurred such as parking, lunch, et. Please see supervisor for more details regarding the submission of these funds.
If you report to court and do not serve on a jury that day, you should report to work. If you report to court and only spend a portion of the day there, you should go to work for the remainder of your workday. In other words, an employee must be serving jury duty or be at work during normal working hours.

Teachers summoned for jury duty shall appear in court and specify a seven (7) day period within twelve months that he/she will be available for jury duty. Teachers are entitled to the usual compensation, less the amount paid by the court. Policy G-460; G-463; G-591; G-590. 

Personal and Professional Leave

Employees shall earn personal leave at the rate of one day for each half year (1/2 day per 50 paid contract days) employed for a maximum of two (2) days per year. An employee must give his/her supervisor one day written notice for leave to be approved except in the case of an emergency.

If, at the termination of services, any employee has been absent for more days than leave has been earned, an amount sufficient to cover the excess days used shall be deducted from the employee’s final salary payment. Any personal leave remaining unused at the end of a year shall be credited to sick leave. Policy G-462; G-463; G-590.

Professional leave is a short, temporary absence for the purpose of attending workshops and other meetings relating to school business or serving on boards and commissions which meet during daytime hours when appointed by a mayor, city council, county executive or county commission. Requests for professional leave shall be submitted to the immediate supervisor at least ten (10) working days prior to requested leave of absence.

Sick Leave

Employees can earn one (1) day for each nineteen (19) paid contract days.

• 200-day contracts maximum earned 10 days per school year
• 211-day contracts maximum earned 10.5 days per school year
• 221-day contracts maximum earned 11 days per school year
• 255-day and 260-day contracts maximum earned 13 days per school year.

Sick leave shall be granted for the following: employee illness from natural causes or accident; quarantine; or illness or death of a member of the immediate family of an employee, including the employee's wife or husband, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, mother-in- law, father-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law.

A certificate from the physician on designated form may be required in support of any claim for sick leave pay. An employee who is absent for five (5) consecutive working days shall submit a doctor's statement verifying illness or injury of the employee or immediate family member. However, frequent use and/or suspected misuse of sick leave by an employee are sufficient grounds for requiring a physician’s certificate stating the reason for absence. A falsified statement shall be grounds for dismissal.

A teacher, upon employment with KCS, may transfer accumulated sick leave from another Tennessee public school system, provided the system in which the accumulated leave was held provides notarized verification. Policy G-461; G-463; G-590.

Bereavement Leave

Bereavement leave shall be granted for the death of a member of the immediate family of an employee eligible for leave accruals, including the employee’s spouse, parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, mother-in-law, father-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law. Per occurrence, to two days of paid bereavement leave shall be granted to professional employees. The days do not accrue and may not exceed ten (10) days per school year. If additional days are needed in relation to the death of an immediate family member, up to three days of other leave (sick, personal, or unpaid) may be used. In extraordinary circumstances, additional sick, personal, or unpaid days due to bereavement may be requested through the Director of Schools. Professional employees may be required to provide appropriate documentation. Permanent, cumulative bereavement records for each active employee shall be kept in the Human Resources Office.

Job Abandonment

Employees who do not show up for work, do not contact their supervisor about taking leave and who do not file the appropriate leave forms and/or put their absences into Frontline will be considered to have abandoned their job. This abandonment, which would consist of five (5) days or longer, will be treated as a resignation and benefits will end in the same manner as if the employee had turned in a resignation letter.

Long-Term Leaves of Absence

Employees in regular, temporary, or interim positions shall be granted leave without pay for military service, legislative service, maternity, adoption, recuperation of health or visitation of a spouse, child or parent deployed for military duty out of the country who has been granted rest and recuperation leave or other sufficient reason without loss of accumulated leave credits, tenure status, or other fringe benefits. Leave to visit a spouse, child, or parent deployed for military duty out of the country who has been granted rest and recuperation leave shall be granted for no longer than ten (10) days. Certified employees may also request leaves for educational improvement purposes.

All leaves shall be requested in writing at least thirty (30) days in advance on forms provided by the Superintendent. The 30-day notice may be waived or reduced by the Superintendent upon submission of a certified statement by a physician. The application for leave forms shall require: a description of the type of leave requested; the requested dates for beginning and ending the leave; and a statement of intent to return to the position from which leave is granted.

The Superintendent will respond to all leave requests in writing. All leaves, except military leave, shall specify a beginning and end date. However, any leave may be extended by the Superintendent upon written request from the employee. The maximum period for a leave of absence is two continuous years, this includes any FMLA time. Positions vacated for less than twelve (12) months by employees on leave shall be filled with an interim employee while the employee is on leave. If the employee returns from leave within 12 months, the interim employee shall relinquish the position. If the leave exceeds twelve (12) months, the employee shall be placed in the same or a comparable position upon return. Any employee on leave shall notify the Superintendent at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of return if the employee does not intend to return to the position from which he is on leave. Policy G-464; G-463; G-590.

Termination of Employment

• Classified Employees -  All classified employees, including teaching assistants, are at-will employees with no annual employment agreement. Employees terminated for any reason shall be paid all earnings authorized or due at the end of the next regular pay period. Policy G-520
• Non-Tenured Teachers - The Superintendent may dismiss any non-tenured teacher at any time when deemed necessary for incompetence, inefficiency, insubordination, improper conduct or neglect of duty, after giving the non-tenured teacher due notice of the charges in writing. The Superintendent is also authorized to dismiss a teacher convicted of a felony. The non-tenured teacher will be given the opportunity to pursue a full and complete hearing before an impartial hearing officer to dispute the reasons for dismissal. In addition, the non-tenured teacher may have the opportunity to appeal any decision in favor of KCS resulting from a hearing. Please see the full policy related to dismissal of non-tenured teachers. Policy G-381
• Non-Renewal of Employment Agreement - The Superintendent is under no obligation to re- employ non-tenured teachers or other non-tenured certified personnel at the end of their employment period. If the Superintendent determines not to renew the employment agreement of a non-tenured teacher, the following action shall be taken:
  1. The board shall be notified at the next regular Board of Education meeting; and
  2. Written notice of non-renewal shall be hand delivered or sent to the employee by U.S. registered mail so that it will be received by the employee within five (5) days following the last instructional day for the school year.

The principal is responsible for discussing deficiencies with the non-tenured teacher and providing assistance for overcoming these deficiencies. Any classified contract employee should have no expectation of renewal. Classified employees will be given at least 15 days’ notice if not recommended for continued employment. Non-renewal is not considered a dismissal/suspension; as such, those procedures do not apply. Policy G-381, G-331; Procedure G-331.

• Tenured Teachers / Certified Personnel - When charges made to the Board of Education against tenured personnel justify dismissal of an employee, the charges shall be made in writing, specifically stating the offenses which are charged, and shall be signed by the party or parties making the charges. If, in the opinion of the Board, charges are of such nature as to warrant the dismissal, the Superintendent shall give the teacher a written notice of the decision, together with a copy of a form which shall be provided by the Commissioner of Education advising as to the teacher’s legal duties, rights and recourse under the terms of this part.

Any teacher convicted of a felony or convicted of a specific offense, as defined by state law, shall be immediately suspended and dismissed subject to the provision. If the dismissal of the teacher is upheld by the Board of Education and court reviews, the Superintendent will notify in writing the revocation proceedings under applicable rules of the Tennessee Board of Education. For details regarding appeals and related procedures for dismissal of tenured personnel, please see full policy. Policy G-330, G-380.

Resignations

• Classified Employees -  Classified personnel shall give the immediate supervisor written notice of resignation at least two (2) weeks (ten (10) working days) in advance of the effective date of voluntary termination. The ten (10) working days may be waived by the Superintendent or designee for justifiable reason. The immediate supervisor shall forward copies of written notice the day received to the Human Resources Department. The payroll office will prepare final payment for the next appropriate scheduled pay day. Policy G-550
• Teachers / Certified Employees -  A teacher shall give the Superintendent notice of resignation at least thirty (30) days before the effective date of the resignation. A teacher who fails to give such notice and in the absence of justifiable extenuating circumstances, shall forfeit all tenure status. The Board of Education may waive the thirty (30) days’ notice requirement and permit a teacher to resign in good standing.

The conditions under which it is permissible to break an employment agreement with the Board are as follows:

1. The incapacity on the part of the teacher to perform the employment agreement as evidenced by the certified statement of a physician approved by the Board of Education;
2. The drafting of the teacher into military service by a selective service board; or
3. The release by the Board of the teacher from the employment agreement which the teacher has entered into with the Board.

Any teacher on leave shall notify the Superintendent in writing at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of return if he or she does not intend to return to the position from which leave was taken. Failure to render such notice may be considered a breach of employment agreement. Upon a breach of employment agreement, the Board of Education may file a complaint with the Commissioner and request the suspension of a teacher’s certificate for no less than 30 and up to 365 days. Please see the policy for full details on the appeal process and procedures related to this action. Policy G-400

Retirement

• Classified Employees -  Retirement shall mean a termination of services under conditions which will allow the employee to draw benefits from the Knox County Retirement and Pension Office and/or social security benefits. Employees must meet and/or complete paperwork with the Knox County Retirement and Pension Office in order to receive retirement benefits. Benefits personnel shall assist employees with the continuation of benefits of life, health, dental, and vision insurance by meeting with them and helping them complete all of their paperwork. Classified employees must wait four (4) months from the first date of distribution from the Knox County Retirement and Pension Board before they can apply to work as a retiree. For additional information, please contact the Employee Benefits department.
• Teachers / Certified Employees -  Retirement shall mean a termination of services under conditions which will allow the employee to draw benefits from the TCRS. Employees eligible for retirement benefits may elect to retire at any age with 30 years of service or at age 60 with at least five (5) years of service without a penalty according to the provisions of TCRS. Employee Benefits personnel shall assist employees in securing retirement benefits by meeting with them and completing all of their paperwork.

Retired certified employees must wait 60 days from their last day of work before they can return to work. During a twelve-month period, retired teachers may not work more than one-hundred and twenty (120) days or the equivalent; i.e. 900 hours for employees based on a 7.5-hour work day or 930 hours based on a 7.75-hour work day. In some cases, the retiree may exceed the 120-day limit when substitute teaching. Please contact the Employee Benefits Department for more information. Policy G-410

Guidelines for Rehiring

Guidance on rehiring teachers who are non-renewed for low performance: 

Non-tenured teachers who are non-renewed and who earn an Educator Effectiveness Score of 3 (meets expectations) or above on their most recent performance evaluation may apply to be considered for other vacant teaching positions for which they are qualified elsewhere in the Knox County schools. Teachers who are non-renewed and did not meet expectations on their most recent performance evaluation will not be considered for continued employment by the Knox County Schools. Unique circumstances may be appealed to the Director of Schools for consideration. Procedure G-331

Employee Forms

The electronic versions of frequently used forms are available on the KCS website. Please go to KCS Help Forms or www.knoxschools.org/benefits for a complete list of documents.